Allentown Substitute Teacher Sexually Assaults Special Needs Student in Bathroom: D.A.

Michael Agrippine, 47, of Upper Saucon Township, is charged with aggravated indecent assault and other related offenses

An Allentown substitute teacher was arrested, accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old student with special needs. The alleged attack took place in a school bathroom at Union Terrace Elementary last Friday, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin.

"I can't believe it. It scares me. It's very scary," said Dalin Long, a parent whose child attends the school.

The suspect, Michael Agrippine, passed the school district's background check, according to Martin.

The victim was attacked inside a basement bathroom near his classroom.

"Well, as I understand it, the school district has a policy that students are escorted to the bathroom," Martin told NBC10's Daralene Jones.

The little boy was escorted to the bathroom that day, by a female teacher. But because it was a men's room, she did not go in with him. Martin says Agrippine, of Upper Saucon Township, was inside the bathroom. He allegedly pushed the little boy against a wall and sexually assaulted him.

The little boy showed signs of distress over the weekend, according to Martin. When the boy's mother asked him why he was acting strange, he told her what happened.

Agrippine, 47, was arrested at his home on Wednesday. He was charged with aggravated indecent assault and other related offenses and sent to county jail unable to post $75,000 bail, according to court records.

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