Bennett HS student arrested for attempted rape in school stairwell

A Bennett High School student is facing attempted rape charges, after he apparently assaulted a girl in a back hallway of the building.

The Wicomico Bureau of Investigations says on Wednesday around 1:20 PM, a 15-year-old 10th grade female student was led into a back stairwell of Bennett High School, by a 15-year-old 9th grade male student. According to the report, the boy started trying to kiss the girl, to which she started fighting to avoid being kissed, which then continued for about ten minutes.

Investigators say the boy tried to pull the clothes off of the girl, along with expose his own genitals during the altercation. WBI says during the assault the boy was controlling the girl’s movements by choking her, pulling her hair, and pinning her down on the stairwell, the floor, and against the wall.

The assault was apparently seen by a staff member in the office, on video, who then ran to intercept. Investigators say the two were then escorted to the office by staff, who then started processing the assault.

The School Resource Officer, a Wicomico Deputy, was reportedly contacted, after the victim and suspect had been released from school, and started his investigation. Investigators say after watching the video of the incident, the SRO contacted The Wicomico Bureau of Investigation, who then took over the investigation.

On Thursday, the suspect was taken into custody, and charged as an adult with attempted first and second degree rape, third degree sex offense, sexual contact without consent, assault first and second degree, unlawfully detain, and attempted first and second degree sex offense.

The boy had apparently already been suspended from school. After his arrest, he was reportedly released to the Wicomico Detention Center, but his disposition information was not immediately available.

We’ll continue to bring details as they become available. Stay tuned to 47 ABC and 47ABC.com for the latest.