Chatsworth teacher accused of more sexual offenses against students
MOUNT HOLLY - A teacher faces more charges of sexually touching students at a small Pinelands school district.
Vincent Root, 59, now is accused of touching 14 male students over several years at Chatsworth Elementary School, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office said.
The Woodland Township school has about 100 students in kindergarten through 8th grade, according to the state Department of Education.
Root, a special education teacher, was accused last year of touching seven children, the prosecutor’s office said.
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The number of alleged victims has now doubled, the prosecutor's office said on Friday, May 24.
It announced a 28-count indictment against the Philadelphia man, including 14 charges each of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
“The investigation began in September 2023 after a student came forward and accused Root of touching him inappropriately during previous school years,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
Root, originally charged in October 2023, entered a plea of not guilty at his arraignment last week.
He is free pending trial.
The charges against Root are only allegations. He has not been convicted in the case.
Anyone who believes they were victimized by Root is asked to email tips@co.burlington.nj.us, or call 609-265-5035 and ask for a detective in the Special Victims Unit.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Vincent Root is accused of sexually touching boys over several years
