New Jersey special education teacher allegedly sexually abused 14 students

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ (TCD) — A 59-year-old special education teacher from Philadelphia faces 28 new charges for sexually abusing at least 14 male students at the New Jersey elementary school where he worked.

The Burlington County District Attorney’s Office first filed charges against Vincent Root in October 2023 on suspicion of sexually touching seven female students while they were attending Chatsworth Elementary School. At the time, he was charged with seven counts of second-degree sexual assault and seven counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

The investigation into Root began in September 2023 after a student reported the defendant’s alleged actions in previous school years. According to prosecutors, further investigation revealed that Root allegedly touched victims inappropriately in classrooms over several years, but authorities did not provide details on when this occurred.

On Friday, May 24, prosecutors announced additional charges against Root, alleging that he sexually touched seven other students while they were at school.

A grand jury recently indicted Root on 14 counts of second-degree sexual assault and 14 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Root pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. He is not in custody as he awaits trial.

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