Bx. grade-school teacher charged in molest of girl
A Bronx elementary school science teacher was charged Thursday with sexually abusing and forcibly touching a 10-year-old schoolgirl, according to a criminal complaint.
Allegations against Norman Dunkley, 48, a 23-year veteran science teacher at Public School 70 in Claremont, first surfaced earlier this week when four female students reported Dunkley allegedly touched their breasts, police said.
In a criminal complaint made public Thursday, Dunkley was accused of sexual abuse, forcible touching, harassment and endangering the welfare of a child — a 10-year-old girl — at 9 a.m. on April 26. He was arrested Wednesday.
City Education Department spokeswoman Jenna Lyle said, “This alleged behavior is absolutely unacceptable — the safety and well being of our students is our top priority. This employee was removed from the school and students and we will work with the NYPD as they investigate. If convicted, we will move to terminate him.”
At his hearing in Bronx Criminal Court, Judge Erik Gray released Dunkley on his own recognizance, and issued a temporary order of protection covering “incidental contact” — meaning he
can still go to PS 70, but if he sees the victim he needs to turn the other way.
His lawyer Andrew Stoll noted Dunkley is a tenured teacher but will “almost certainly” be reassigned while the investigation is underway.
Two female family members were at his arraignment, and when Dunkley was released and walked back to them, he began to cry. The family members hurriedly accompanied him out of the building.
He’s due back at a grand jury hearing June 27.