An elementary school teacher in Maryland is accused of sexually abusing multiple students

BALTIMORE – Police say a former Anne Arundel County elementary school teacher has been charged after he was accused of sexually abusing numerous students.

Michael Schlegel, 44, has been in the public school system since 2008 and has been a teacher at Severna Park Elementary School since 2016, according to a district spokesman.

According to police, he faces charges for allegedly sexually abusing students at school.

Police said that as part of their investigation, which began in March, at least eight forensic interviews were conducted with students who claimed they were inappropriately touched during class by their third-grade math teacher, Schlegel.

Immediately after the allegations were announced, the school system removed Schlegel from the classroom and reassigned him to a position that had no contact with students, the district said.

Schlegel faces 36 charges ranging from second-degree assault to sexual abuse of a minor.

He was arrested at his home Thursday, according to Anne Arundel County police.

Some in the community said the charges were a troubling disappointment.

“As parents, we just want to protect our children and sending them to school is supposed to be a safe place,” Christopher Gillespie said.

WJZ attempted to speak with Schlegel’s family but received a “no comment” response.

Schlegel has a bail hearing scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday.

WJZ attempted to speak with Schlegel’s family but heard “no comment.”

Schlegel has a bail hearing scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday.

In a statement to the school community, the acting principal stated:

Below is information released today by the Anne Arundel County Police Department detailing the criminal charges filed against one of our teachers, Matthew Schlegel.

As interim principal of Severna Park Elementary School, my goal is to help students access available resources in light of this difficult news while Principal Kyle Butler is on pre-arranged family leave while he and his wife take their Welcoming newborn son to ensure continuity of lessons.

It is important for you to understand, if you have not already done so, that Mr. Schlegel was immediately transferred when our school system received the first allegation in this case. AACPS immediately referred the matter to appropriate law enforcement authorities and has been working with them since.

Since his transfer, Mr. Schlegel has no longer worked in a position in which he had contact with students.

As has been the case since the beginning of this case, our school also has resources to support any student affected by this matter or who feels the need to talk about their feelings.

If your student needs these resources, please ask them to speak to a staff member. We can then instruct him accordingly. Our school system is prepared to support the needs of the school as needed.

As you will see below, police are asking anyone with additional information about this case or possible other cases to contact them at 410-222-4733 or 410-222-4700.