Sidwell Soc. Studies teacher and Sleep Away Camp Director Arrested for Sexual Abuse

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is unclear exactly what Beauvoir knew beforehand. They don't admit to that much, but there were some things parents heard like Mr. Toth was told not to have his door closed, or kids in his lap, for example. Not sure if this is true, or if this applied to all teachers or were specific instructions/reminders for him. By the way he continued to do both anyway.

They also knew he was there late at night. I doubt they knew for sure he was living there but some people had to suspect. Why on earth would a 3rd grade teacher pull all nighters there all the time? It is hindsight but many of the parents suspected too. They have security cameras, and could see the comings and goings and therefore it would have been easy to see he never left.

Sadly their security on information was not as tight as it was certainly breached by him. He probably read all the files of all the kids, and he often conveyed information which he should have had no way of knowing. Another red flag.

There are many other stories -- like teachers seeing him in the woods alone with kids, running down the hallway chasing kids, and the pieces of the puzzle only coming together in hindsight. He was a highly requested teacher and though most thought him strange, he was still sought after as a teacher. Parents and staff saw him rubbing backs, legs, putting kids in his lap (kids too big to be in a grown man's lap), etc. but he always had a good excuse for what he was doing (there late because he took medication and did not feel safe driving home) and it was strange to "tell on him."

There were other red flags too, like supposedly he never went to faculty meetings. He worked for way way too many families as a tutor or as a weekend babysitter. This is inappropriate, espeically when current families. Supposedly a a year or two before he was caught, he had an unnatural reaction to a particularly favorite student graduating where he weeped openly. Stuff like that should have set off warning bells.

I doubt anyone could have known about the surveillance cameras he set up or what his sexual predilections were. But there were other things they should have known, and should have disclosed.

Well said, I agree. And I want my money back too.

[Anonymous]

I'd like to say that, in the current situation, the accused is innocent until proven guilty.

Couple years ago a group of adolescent girls made false accusations against a PE teacher in Montgomery County(they were mad at him because he had written up one of their group for not participating) He was eventually cleared, but the damage to his reputation was irreparable.He was placed on administrative leave , but did eventually get his old job back. (The primary instigator was forced to switch schools) If this child was abused, it is a horrible crime and the teacher should be punished.

However, sometimes kids lash out in ugly ways, let's wait to judge until we hear the whole story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to say that, in the current situation, the accused is innocent until proven guilty.

Couple years ago a group of adolescent girls made false accusations against a PE teacher in Montgomery County(they were mad at him because he had written up one of their group for not participating) He was eventually cleared, but the damage to his reputation was irreparable.He was placed on administrative leave , but did eventually get his old job back. (The primary instigator was forced to switch schools) If this child was abused, it is a horrible crime and the teacher should be punished.

However, sometimes kids lash out in ugly ways, let's wait to judge until we hear the whole story.

While we are waiting, how would you like to protect any possible additional victims?

[Anonymous]

Try educating your children rather than hanging potentially innocent people without due process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to say that, in the current situation, the accused is innocent until proven guilty.

Couple years ago a group of adolescent girls made false accusations against a PE teacher in Montgomery County(they were mad at him because he had written up one of their group for not participating) He was eventually cleared, but the damage to his reputation was irreparable.He was placed on administrative leave , but did eventually get his old job back. (The primary instigator was forced to switch schools) If this child was abused, it is a horrible crime and the teacher should be punished.

However, sometimes kids lash out in ugly ways, let's wait to judge until we hear the whole story.

While we are waiting, how would you like to protect any possible additional victims?

Ouch, I think that response was uncalled for.

Of course, the accused must be placed on some type of leave and have no contact with children. I was just pointing out that he has only been accused by one child so far, and their is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Unless we're back in Salem, or maybe Edenton, North Carolina....

[Anonymous]

there , not their (correcting myself so no one else has to)

[Anonymous]

Protection of children, "uncalled for"? Please explain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Protection of children, "uncalled for"? Please explain.

You are misquoting me and you know it.

[Anonymous]

I believe in due process, and that's why I think Sidwell has so far handled this about as well as a school can. Especially the school where the President's daughters go. You have to let the authorities do their work. The man is cooperating and it looks like he will have his day in court. It is a horrible situation as this teacher was beloved by many. Due process is one of the many good things about our country and our way of life. At the same time, the school has a primary duty of care for the children who go there too. They must protect them and take reasonable steps to ensure the children are protected from harm.

Police background checks only go so far. But still necessary. Placing a teacher/staff on admin leave is the right thing to do under these kinds of circumstances, and banning him from contact. Then they did fire him when notified that the authorities were pursuing a case. Now if he is found innocent, the damage is indeed irreparable. His reputation (or anyone else's) is forever tinged by such an accusation.

But it looks like he is cooperating and will have his day in court, unlike the (spineless) Toth who fled and has to look over his shoulder wherever he goes the rest of his life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is unclear exactly what Beauvoir knew beforehand. They don't admit to that much, but there were some things parents heard like Mr. Toth was told not to have his door closed, or kids in his lap, for example. Not sure if this is true, or if this applied to all teachers or were specific instructions/reminders for him. By the way he continued to do both anyway.

They also knew he was there late at night. I doubt they knew for sure he was living there but some people had to suspect. Why on earth would a 3rd grade teacher pull all nighters there all the time? It is hindsight but many of the parents suspected too. They have security cameras, and could see the comings and goings and therefore it would have been easy to see he never left.

Sadly their security on information was not as tight as it was certainly breached by him. He probably read all the files of all the kids, and he often conveyed information which he should have had no way of knowing. Another red flag.

There are many other stories -- like teachers seeing him in the woods alone with kids, running down the hallway chasing kids, and the pieces of the puzzle only coming together in hindsight. He was a highly requested teacher and though most thought him strange, he was still sought after as a teacher. Parents and staff saw him rubbing backs, legs, putting kids in his lap (kids too big to be in a grown man's lap), etc. but he always had a good excuse for what he was doing (there late because he took medication and did not feel safe driving home) and it was strange to "tell on him."

There were other red flags too, like supposedly he never went to faculty meetings. He worked for way way too many families as a tutor or as a weekend babysitter. This is inappropriate, espeically when current families. Supposedly a a year or two before he was caught, he had an unnatural reaction to a particularly favorite student graduating where he weeped openly. Stuff like that should have set off warning bells.

I doubt anyone could have known about the surveillance cameras he set up or what his sexual predilections were. But there were other things they should have known, and should have disclosed.

Well said, I agree. And I want my money back too.

This lap sitting situation really happened, some boys who had him 3rd grade were teasing each other about the lap sitting after the news broke.

The first time I met him, my impression was that his demeanor and limited eye contact was very strange. I overheard him saying to another parent,"I have the best boys in my class." It struck me as a weird thing to brag aloud with adults and kids walking past him in the hall. In an environment primarily run by women, I just can't understand why they weren't extremely uncomfortable having this weird, creepy guy around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe in due process, and that's why I think Sidwell has so far handled this about as well as a school can. Especially the school where the President's daughters go. You have to let the authorities do their work. The man is cooperating and it looks like he will have his day in court. It is a horrible situation as this teacher was beloved by many. Due process is one of the many good things about our country and our way of life. At the same time, the school has a primary duty of care for the children who go there too. They must protect them and take reasonable steps to ensure the children are protected from harm.

Police background checks only go so far. But still necessary. Placing a teacher/staff on admin leave is the right thing to do under these kinds of circumstances, and banning him from contact. Then they did fire him when notified that the authorities were pursuing a case. Now if he is found innocent, the damage is indeed irreparable. His reputation (or anyone else's) is forever tinged by such an accusation.

But it looks like he is cooperating and will have his day in court, unlike the (spineless) Toth who fled and has to look over his shoulder wherever he goes the rest of his life.

If your son came home and told you that Petey has been having sex with him for the last few years, would you still believe in due process?

[Anonymous]

Hasn't this teacher been there (Sidwell) since 1979 or something? I wonder if people have gotten a creepy feeling about him before all this occurred.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe in due process, and that's why I think Sidwell has so far handled this about as well as a school can. Especially the school where the President's daughters go. You have to let the authorities do their work. The man is cooperating and it looks like he will have his day in court. It is a horrible situation as this teacher was beloved by many. Due process is one of the many good things about our country and our way of life. At the same time, the school has a primary duty of care for the children who go there too. They must protect them and take reasonable steps to ensure the children are protected from harm.

Police background checks only go so far. But still necessary. Placing a teacher/staff on admin leave is the right thing to do under these kinds of circumstances, and banning him from contact. Then they did fire him when notified that the authorities were pursuing a case. Now if he is found innocent, the damage is indeed irreparable. His reputation (or anyone else's) is forever tinged by such an accusation.

But it looks like he is cooperating and will have his day in court, unlike the (spineless) Toth who fled and has to look over his shoulder wherever he goes the rest of his life.

If your son came home and told you that Petey has been having sex with him for the last few years, would you still believe in due process?

And what if you or better yet, your husband was accused of molesting the little boy who lives next door. The question is, would you want due process for yourself!!

[Anonymous]

Bingo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Protection of children, "uncalled for"? Please explain.

You are misquoting me and you know it.

PP, please explain what you mean to say.