New Haven Teacher, 50, Charged After Investigation Revealed 'Inappropriate Contact With Student:' NHPD

NEW HAVEN, CT — A 50-year-old New Haven Public Schools teacher was charged by police for having inappropriate contact with a Sound School student, authorities said Tuesday.

According to police spokesperson Officer Christain Bruckhart, on April 20, the New Haven Board of Education and the child's parents notified police "regarding allegations of inappropriate contact between the child and a teacher."

Simon Edgett, of Milford, a Sound School teacher, "was meeting with the student outside of school without the knowledge or consent of the child’s parents," a police investigation found.

"Edgett was also found to be speaking and texting with the child during times when it would be inappropriate for a teacher to be communicating with a student," police said.

The case was assigned to Special Victims Unit detective James Paxton, who Bruckhart said was able to develop probable cause to arrest Edgett on a warrant. Edgett, who turned himself in last Thursday, was charged with risk of injury to a minor, a felony, and harmful communication with a minor, a class A misdemeanor.

Court records show an incident date of Jan. 1, 2025.

Edgett was released from custody after posting a $50,000 surety bond and is due back in court Sept. 16.

The school district issued the following statement:

"Last week we informed Sound School families that a former staff member had been arrested and charged with harmful communication with a minor and risk of injury to a minor with regard to an underage student.

The alleged behavior was reported by the student’s family last spring; the teacher was immediately placed on leave, and both the Department of Children and Families and the police investigated. The teacher will not return when school reopens.

Though this individual had served in the district for some years, this was the first such accusation made against him. At the time of his hiring, the individual passed all the appropriate screenings, including full background and reference checks.

Notwithstanding, we took this matter very seriously. When we heard about the accusation, we took steps to ensure safety for all students.

As school reopens, social worker and classroom teams at Sound School will have conversations about safety and the school’s commitment to building a healthy and supportive community.

Nothing is more important than the safety of our students. Sound School families with questions or concerns have been invited to reach out to the school."