Breaking: Severna Park Teacher Faces More Charges - [Update]
Could the sanctity of our children's education be shattered from within? In a devastating turn of events, an Anne Arundel County elementary school teacher, once entrusted with the care and development of young minds, now faces a staggering number of charges related to child sexual abuse, casting a long shadow over the Severna Park community.
The unfolding investigation in Hunt Valley, Maryland, paints a disturbing picture. Matthew Schlegel, a former third-grade teacher at Severna Park Elementary School, has been denied bail for a second time, underscoring the gravity of the allegations against him. He is facing a total of 55 charges, all stemming from the alleged sexual abuse of multiple students. These charges carry the potential for decades of imprisonment if he is found guilty, a stark reminder of the severity of the alleged crimes.
The accusations against Schlegel, a teacher within the Anne Arundel County Public School System since 2008, involve incidents that allegedly occurred between August 2022 and March 2024. During this period, he was employed at Severna Park Elementary School, a school considered one of Marylands best-performing institutions, located in an affluent area of Anne Arundel County. Eight student victims have come forward, adding weight to the allegations and highlighting the potential scale of the abuse. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division's Child Abuse Unit opened an investigation in March 2024 following the reports of sexual abuse.
The legal proceedings have been swift and decisive. An Anne Arundel County judge ruled to hold Schlegel without bail, citing concerns for the safety of the community. A Severna Park Elementary School teacher will remain in jail until his trial, an Anne Arundel County judge ruled Tuesday afternoon. The former third-grade teacher was taken into custody Thursday morning at his home in Severna Park. The teacher, who was arrested on Thursday on 36 counts of child sexual abuse and other crimes was ordered held without bond.
The impact of the allegations extends beyond the courtroom, reaching into the heart of the Severna Park community. As the acting principal at Severna Park Elementary School, the immediate focus is on supporting the students and the school community during this challenging time. "Immediately upon being notified of the allegations, the school system" took appropriate measures, according to the officials. The school system has been working since 2008 with the teacher at severna park elementary school since 2016, according to a spokesperson with the district.
This situation has ignited a mix of emotions in the community, including outrage and a profound sense of betrayal. "I would be enraged," said Tim, reflecting the sentiments of many parents and community members. The allegations have sparked an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a teacher and several students at Severna Park Elementary School.
Further details on the case and the involved individuals are detailed in the table below:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew Scott Banks Schlegel |
| Age | 44 |
| Former Occupation | Third Grade Teacher |
| School | Severna Park Elementary School, Anne Arundel County |
| Years in Public School System | Since 2008 |
| Years at Severna Park Elementary | 2016 - Present |
| Initial Charges | 36 Counts of Child Sexual Abuse and other crimes |
| Current Charges | 55 charges |
| Legal Status | Denied Bail, Held in Jail |
| Date of Arrest | Thursday |
| Location of Arrest | Home in Severna Park |
| Possible Prison Time | Decades |
| Investigation Start Date | March 2024 |
| Reference | WMAR-2 News |
The case is ongoing, with potential for further developments as the legal process unfolds. The trial is expected to commence soon, though the volume of evidence may cause a delay to the start date, which is currently scheduled for March 3. The community is awaiting the resolution of these charges with a mixture of anticipation and concern, hoping for justice and a measure of healing for the victims and the wider community.
The Severna Park Elementary School itself, located at 6 Riggs Avenue, Severna Park, MD 21146, remains at the center of this evolving story. The school community, led by acting Principal, Kyle Butler who is on prearranged family leave, is focused on ensuring the well-being of the students and staff. The school is a best-performing school located in the affluent area of Anne Arundel County.
As the legal process continues, the community grapples with the difficult questions raised by this case, working to support the victims and protect the trust placed in educators. The case serves as a harsh reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need to safeguard the most vulnerable members of society.
The Severna Park Elementary School teacher who was arrested on Thursday on 36 counts of child sexual abuse and other crimes was ordered held without bond. An Anne Arundel County judge decided Matthew Schlegel, a former third grade teacher at Severna Park Elementary School accused of inappropriately touching several students, will remain in jail for the final weeks before his trial in.
The investigation continues, with detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division Child Abuse Unit. Police say the math teacher at severna park elementary school allegedly sexually assaulted numerous female students at the school between august 2022 and march 2024.
