WASHINGTON — Montgomery County police say a former middle school paraeducator had inappropriate contact with a 13-year-old girl from October 2014 to March 2015. And, they now want to know if there are additional victims.
Robert Otis Wilson, 23, of Silver Spring, Maryland, has been charged with one count of sex abuse of a minor and three counts of third-degree sex offenses.
According to charging documents, Wilson would meet the girl under the stairs at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School, out of view of the security cameras.
Police say Wilson would meet the girl at least once a day either during or after school. And, on one occasion in January, he allegedly went to the teen’s home and texted her that he wanted to see her.
The abuse, according to police, started when the girl was 13 and continued after she turned 14.
The contact ended when Wilson left the school system. He’s still employed by Montgomery County, but has been placed on administrative leave.
Police say Wilson also worked as an assistant track coach at Wheaton High School during the last two years. Anyone who may have been a victim is asked to call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5409.
Police arrested Wilson Thursday night.
During a bond hearing Friday, a judge set Wilson’s bond at $25,000.
On Friday afternoon, Montgomery County Public Schools released the following statement:
We are very concerned and disturbed about the allegations against Mr. Wilson and that some of the alleged conduct that led to his arrest may have occurred on school property. We will continue to work with the Montgomery County Police Department and encourage anyone who has any information that may be helpful to the investigation to contact the police immediately.
When this allegation came to the attention of a member of the Loiederman Middle School staff earlier this month, it was immediately reported to Child Protective Services and the Montgomery County Police Department, which began an investigation. We are grateful for their partnership. We are continuing to support the student, the student’s family, and the school community.
MCPS has taken great strides to improve its policies, procedures, and protocols related to preventing, identifying, and reporting allegations of child abuse and neglect. We will continue to improve in this area in collaboration with our partners in Child Protective Services, the Montgomery County Police Department, and the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Mr. Wilson worked as a special education paraeducator from August 2013 through March 30, 2015, when he moved to the Division of Food and Nutrition Services warehouse—a job he applied for. For the past two years, he has also worked as the assistant track coach at Wheaton High School. He is currently on administrative leave. Both communities are being notified about his arrest, which we were made aware of last night.
