By Laura Glesby, New Haven Independent
NEW HAVEN, CT — Daniel Bonet pleaded not guilty on Thursday morning to charges of sexually assaulting an underage student in his role as assistant principal of Hillhouse High School.
Bonet, 49, appeared for an arraignment hearing before Judge Tracy Lee Dayton on the sixth floor of the Church Street courthouse on Thursday morning.
In a brief conversation, Dayton confirmed that Bonet would be entering a not guilty plea to sexual assault in the second degree and sexual assault in the fourth degree.
The judge confirmed that prosecutors will provide the evidence they have to Bonet and his lawyer, Don Cretella. She set the next court date for Nov. 17.
The arraignment took place months after a Hillhouse student told multiple adults as well as a classmate that Bonet had forcibly kissed her on Thursday, May 21, and raped her on Friday, May 22. The student, who reported the assaults that same Friday, said that Bonet had violated her in his office during school hours.
New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) placed Bonet on administrative leave on Tuesday, May 26, four days after the student came forward. Bonet ran a school lockdown at Hillhouse, his voice appearing on the intercom, that same morning.
Asked whether Bonet is still on administrative leave, NHPS spokesperson Justin Harmon wrote in an email, "We have no update we can offer about the defendant's job status, and we have no other comment."
Bonet's lawyer did not respond to a request for comment in time for this article.
Bonet was arrested on these two sexual assault charges on Sept. 14; he was released from custody on a $250,000 bond.
Read more about the allegations against Bonet and the timing of his placement on leave.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you are not alone. Visit RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline for help. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673), chat at RAINN.org/hotline or text "HOPE" to 64673.
The hotline also provides resources for teens and families about how to recognize grooming and child sexual assault, and about how to support loved ones and community members through those experiences.
The New Haven Independent is a not-for-profit public-interest daily news site founded in 2005.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
New Haven Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.