PILSEN — A Benito Juarez Community Academy teacher in Pilsen has been removed following an allegation of inappropriate behavior, according to a letter sent to parents.
Last month, parents were notified about an allegation of inappropriate behavior made against a staff member at the Chicago Public School at 1450 W. Cermak Road.
“This employee has been removed from the school, and an investigation has been initiated by the Office of the Inspector General,” Benito Juarez Juan Carlos Ocón told parents in a letter sent to parents on Sept. 26.
Parents of the affected student were notified and connected to support from the Office of Student Protections and Title IX, the letter stated. School officials said they were taking the matter seriously and are committed to providing students with a “safe positive, learning environment.”
“The safety of our children is always our top priority, which is why I must inform you of a situation that has recently come to light,” Ocon said in the letter.
The teacher allegedly pulled down his pants and exposed his groin and thigh area to a 16-year-old on July 1, 2018, according to the Sun-Times.
Police responded following a tip to the Dept. of Children and Family Services.No one is in custody and the investigation is ongoing, according to the report.
CPS officials deferred to the letter sent to parents in declining to answer additional questions.
The Illinois Dept. of Children and Family Services did not return a request for comment.
Last year, the Tribune detailed hundreds of cases of sexual abuse and rape at CPS schools over the last 10 years. The report highlighted failures by the district to protect its own students from sexual abuse and misconduct.
Following the bombshell report, CPS CEO Janice Jackson said on “Chicago Tonight” that the district took the issues seriously.”
“There’s a lot that has been done, but my test is that if there’s one case, that’s one case too many, and so there’s opportunities for us to do a better job,” Jackson said.”