Special Ed Teacher From Philly Molested 14 Students: Authorities

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia man working as a special education teacher in New Jersey has been accused of molesting students at his school.

The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said Vincent Root, 59, of Philadelphia, is charged in a 28-count indictment with 14 counts of sexual assault and 14 counts of endangering the welfare of a child — all second-degree offenses.

Root was charged last year after investigators found he sexually assaulted seven children who were enrolled at Chatsworth Elementary School. He has now been indicted on those offenses and charged with inappropriately touching another seven students, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.

He is now accused of sexually abusing 14 children.

The investigation into Root began last September, when a student came forward and accused the teacher of touching him during previous school years, the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said. Root was initially charged in October after authorities found that he sexually abused seven male victims in classrooms within the school building, authorities said.

His actions occurred over a multiyear period, authorities said.

The Woodland Township School District placed Root on administrative leave and banned him from school property, the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said last fall.

>>>RELATED: BurlCo Elementary School Teacher Sexually Assaulted 7 Students: Prosecutor<<<

Root pleaded not guilty at his arraignment last week. He is currently free, pending trial.
Information on the victims, including their ages and school-enrollment dates, have been withheld to protect their identities.

Anyone who believes that Root victimized them can contact the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office by emailing tips@co.burlington.nj.us, or calling 609-265-5035 and asking to speak to a detective in the Special Victims Unit.