Student says substitute fondled her

Classmates allegedly saw abuse at Plum Point Middle School

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

According to charging documents, the girl raised her hand and stood up to ask a question during first period and the substitute teacher, William Charles Marshall, 54, of Chesapeake Beach walked over to her and put his hand on her buttocks.

The victim asked him not to touch her buttocks and he apologized and said he did not mean to touch her like that, according to charging documents.

The girl told police that during third period he put his hand on her lower back while she was playing cards with some of her classmates.

She said that she gave him a dirty look to make him stop and he took his hand off of her back by sliding it across her buttocks.

According to court documents, Marshall’s behavior continued throughout the day and at one time he put his hands on the girl’s shoulders and massaged them.

The girl said that on May 4 when her teacher came back to school she told him about what happened and he took her to the guidance counselor.

Marshall told police that the classroom was small and that he might have accidentally brushed against students as they moved throughout the room, according to a statement he allegedly gave police detailed in charging documents.

He also said that during seventh period the victim told him that everything was all right and that she only had concerns earlier.

Marshall told police that at the end of fourth period when the class took a bathroom break, he might have brushed against her when they were leaving the room.

He also said that one of them could have brushed against the other when she left the area behind his desk earlier in the day.

He said he could not recall specific times, according to charging documents.

The other students in the classroom who witnessed the incidents also provided police with information.

‘‘Each student that provided the school with a written statement had witnessed ... Marshall touch [the girl’s buttocks] or massage her shoulders,” court documents said.

Sgt. Ronald Naughten went to the classroom to look at the tight space Marshall said was the reason he might have brushed against her. Naughten said he tested the walkways and was able to move around without a problem.

Marshall was indicted on four counts of third-degree sex offense, sex abuse of a minor and second-degree assault.

E-mail Heather Dykstra at hdykstra@somdnews.com.