UPDATE: West Seaford Elementary paraprofessional faces additional sexual abuse charges
UPDATE: The Seaford Police Department has announced new charges against a paraprofessional employed at West Seaford Elementary School.
On Oct. 26, Seaford police charged 20-year-old Christopher E. Sarabia of Seaford with three counts of sexual abuse of a child by someone in a position of trust, in addition to three counts of dangerous crime against a minor under 14. He remains committed to the Department of Corrections on an additional $210,000 cash bail.
“The recent investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse involving an employee of West Seaford Elementary School has caused significant distress for the children, families, and school community,” said Police Chief Marshall Craft in a separate statement. “The investigation remains ongoing, and protecting our children and ensuring their safety remains among our highest priorities.”
Sarabia was previously charged with two counts of sexual abuse of a child by someone in a position of trust on Oct. 23, but his identity was not disclosed at that time.
Authorities ask anyone with knowledge or information about incidents involving Sarabia, related to West Seaford Elementary School or not, to contact Seaford Police Detectives at (302)629-6648.
SEAFORD, Del. – The Seaford Police Department (SPD) has arrested a paraprofessional employed at West Seaford Elementary School on charges of child sexual abuse.
On Friday, Oct. 23, police arrested a 20-year-old Seaford man on two counts of sexual abuse of a child by someone in a position of trust. He was arraigned and committed to the Department of Corrections on $20,000 cash bail.
In a message posted to social media, the Seaford School District confirmed the charges, saying that the employee has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of SPD’s investigation.
“The District and the Seaford Police Department are working together as the investigation proceeds,” the message read, in part. “State and federal laws protecting the privacy rights of employees prevent the Seaford School District from commenting further on this matter at this time.”
Seaford Police say their investigation into possible similar incidents is ongoing. Anyone with relevant information to this case is asked to contact the SPD Criminal Investigations Division at (302)629-6648. Information can also be submitted anonymously to Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling (800)847-3333.
DISCLAIMER: Due to the passage of House Bill 59 in Delaware, law enforcement agencies in Delaware are prohibited from releasing the names and mugshots of arrested individuals, unless they are charged with a felony and deemed a threat to public safety. As such, the individual cited in this article has not been identified to public media outlets.
This article was originally published on Oct. 23 at 5:02 p.m.
