Charges have doubled for a special education teacher accused of abusing children last year at a New Jersey elementary school, a Burlington County prosecutor said. According to Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw, Vincent Root, 59, stands accused of mistreating 14 special education students at Chatsworth Elementary School in Woodland Township. He was initially charged in October 2023 with seven sexual assault charges.
On Friday, a grand jury indicted him on an additional seven counts, now totaling 14 counts each of sexual assault in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child.
“The investigation began last month after a student came forward and accused Root of touching him inappropriately during previous school years,” prosecutors wrote.
“The investigation revealed that the victims, all of whom are male, were touched in classrooms inside the school building. The investigation further revealed that the abuse occurred over a multi-year period. The names, ages and further details about the victims are being withheld in an attempt to protect the identity of the victims.”
The Courier Post reports that Root is currently free, “pending trial.”
Anyone victimized by Root is urged to contact the Special Victims Unit at 609-265-5035 or email [email protected].