Educators accused of not reporting sexual misconduct likely seeking probation
PLYMOUTH — Three of the four local educators charged with failing to report the alleged sexual misconduct of teacher James Eschert appear to be seeking a court program to have their cases dismissed, records show.
The fourth person charged, Crystal Collins, a former middle school principal, has not yet been arraigned, court records show.
Collins and educators Sherri Turner, Rebecca Holleran and Melissa Morelli were charged in August with failing to report as mandated reporters after an investigation revealed that children at Plymouth’s Center School had for years complained to them about Eschert’s behavior, but no action was taken, according to arrest warrants.
Eschert was charged in January with several crimes against children, including fourth-degree sexual assault. His case remains pending. He resigned from the school system as he was placed on leave. Children told police that he would put female fourthgrade students on his lap, touch them inappropriately and take “upskirt” photos, according to court documents.
Officials with the state Department of Education said in October they are investigating whether the five educators should have their teaching certifications revoked, but would not make any final recommendations until the criminal court cases were adjudicated.
Collins retired shortly after the allegations were brought to the state Department of Children and Families in September 2021. Turner retired in September after being charged.
Plymouth Superintendent of Schools Brian Falcone started the process to terminate Holleran and Morelli in September after they had been on paid leave for months, according to documents obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Falcone said Wednesday he couldn’t discuss if the termination process was moving forward, but said Holleran and Morelli remain on paid leave.
Online court records show the cases for Turner, Holleran and Morelli have been statutorily sealed and they are awaiting a disposition scheduled for Dec. 30. Each of their cases has been referred to adult probation, acallegations cording to the judicial website. When a case is statutorily sealed, it often means the defendant has entered a program such as accelerated rehabilitation, which will lead to a dismissal of the charges if the person complies with the conditions.
Collins’ case is scheduled for arraignment Dec. 29 in Superior Court in New Britain. Court records show that shortly after she was arrested, her attorney Paul Spinella filed documents with the court seeking evidence gathered in the case, including any statements his client made to police.
Spinella was not immediately available for comment Wednesday.
As educators and administrators in Connecticut, the four were required by law to report
of abuse against children, according to police. But arrest warrants indicate they were aware that children and parents had repeatedly complained about Eschert’s behavior, but they did not take action.
“How did this go on for so long?” said one parent who spoke to police about Morelli’s role in covering for Eschert, the warrant stated. The woman made the observation during an interview with police in December 2021 that “if this is coming out now, you’re not going to tell me they were the first kids” to be abused, according to the warrant.
Police interviewed a dozen children and, in some cases, their parents during the investigation, the warrant indicated. At least one of Eschert’s alleged victims filed a lawsuit against him, the Plymouth Board of Education, the town and Collins, claiming she was sexually assaulted by the fourth-grade teacher in the 2017-18 school year. That litigation is pending.