4th-grade teacher
facing sex charges
WGME-TV
A former fourth-grade teacher in Damariscotta has been charged with unlawful sexual contact and unlawful sexual touching.
The superintendent of Central Lincoln County School System says Peter Simonds, a former teacher at the Great Salt Bay School, has had serious accusations made against him by at least one student.
The school sent a letter home to parents of his fourth-grade class Thursday and will be sending out e-mails to parents of the entire school today.
Simonds is no longer employed at the school and has been ordered to stay off school property and is not allowed any contact with juveniles.
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16 COMMENTS
Cadred said...
He may or may not be guilty of anything, but merely publicizing the charge is enough to ruin his life. This is a serious allegation if true. If not, the ramifications are enormous.
March 19, 2010 at 12:47 PM Report abuse
JazzBox said...
Freakin' Obama and all the darn immigrants!
March 19, 2010 at 1:04 PM Report abuse
bbradley34 said...
Good point, Cadred. I agree that there are a lot of perverts out there -- but studies have shown the cops who investigate these crimes take the "guilty until proven innocent" approach. I feel terrible for the falsely accused. Of course, WGME doesn't care, as long as they can scare you into watching!
March 19, 2010 at 1:29 PM Report abuse
David said...
His life is ruined, no matter what. There is no way anyone would ever hire him in education even if he is vindicated. And, how, exactly can you be "vindicated"? The odds of there ever being a statement that fully exonerates even an innocent person accused of these kinds of crimes are infinitesimal. But, if he is guilty, rest assured that our fine judiciary will give him at least 30 days in prison. That, apparently, is all you get for having children porn at a day care center.
March 19, 2010 at 1:54 PM Report abuse
Cadred said...
David, different topic. However, I have known people who have been falsely accused and exonerated. The stigma never goes away.
March 19, 2010 at 3:24 PM Report abuse
null said...
This is happening all over the country. Go to www.schoolteachernews.com and click on the Scandal page. This year they have already documented over 125 of these types of incidents. They also have a map of where the incidents have taken place. In 2009 they found 464 of these kinds of cases.
March 19, 2010 at 6:40 PM Report abuse
UofA said...
Cadred- You should not put yourself in the position of being accused. Many, many teachers go through decades of contact with children and know how to avoid these things if innocent. My sister is a retired teacher. I doubt if this just happened yesterday. He was probably investigated before the Union would allow him to be kicked off of school property or they would be up in arms.
March 19, 2010 at 7:51 PM Report abuse
ann123 said...
As a former teacher I would agree with U of A. Schools are not immune from whatever it is that makes people want to not believe abuse is happening. This is a pretty small town. I feel bad for his family.
March 19, 2010 at 10:10 PM Report abuse
nikonwilly said...
He has already been convicted on WGAN AM radio.
March 20, 2010 at 8:05 AM Report abuse
paperbackwri said...
UofA and ann123, I also agree with you. If anything, towns don't want to believe that this happening to them, especially with a teacher who has taught for so many years. As I understand it, there was more than one child who spoke to say that he touched them.
March 20, 2010 at 8:56 AM Report abuse
ProConserv said...
See...This is why liberals should never be allowed to teach children! Most of them are perverted in some way!
March 20, 2010 at 9:40 AM Report abuse
bubbagump said...
Convicted by the jury of public opinion. Game over for this guy not matter what. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty.
March 20, 2010 at 9:55 AM Report abuse
otisslee said...
I have some experience with the Damariscotta elementary school. My experience is they are very quick to judge without much interest in discovering the facts.
March 20, 2010 at 11:18 AM Report abuse
BuddyMac said...
ProConserv said... See...This is why liberals should never be allowed to teach children! Most of them are perverted in some way! Yes, like those conservatives Ted Heggard and Rep Foley....
March 20, 2010 at 2:12 PM Report abuse
heyjoe said...
He was a quiet man.............
March 20, 2010 at 3:40 PM Report abuse
DeathCultt said...
He was a quiet man with his hands down a little girls pants............
March 20, 2010 at 4:17 PM Report abuse