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Appalling Email From Teacher To Alleged 10-Year-Old Rape Victim Surfaces
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 21, 2013
Modified Jun 21, 2013
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 21, 2013
Modified Jun 21, 2013
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On Wednesday, a 40-year-old Special Education Bronx teacher was arrested and accused of raping a 10-year-old student. Anthony Criscuolo, who taught at PS 386, has been charged with first-degree rape and predatory sexual assault against a child. The alleged rape came to light after the young girl's mother found sexually explicit emails Criscuolo sent the girl the day after he allegedly raped her in the back of a car: “I was too rough. Sorry. It’s normal,” he wrote to the fifth grader. “You may feel pain for a few days.” He also asked, “How did it feel for you?”
The girl told detectives that Criscuolo had informed her she was going to receive an award on Monday—he allegedly forged a letter about the award on school letterhead to give to her mother. The girl's parents allowed him to take her to the award ceremony; but he instead took her to a parking lot and allegedly raped her in his car.
According to court papers, Criscuolo's sexual assaults on the girl began in April, and at least one of them happened in a building on East 181st Street. “I like you,” he was quoted as telling the girl at one time. “I’m doing this because I like you. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. If you feel uncomfortable, tell me to stop.”
School Chancellor Dennis Walcott said officials were moving to fire Criscuolo from his $73K-a-year job, though he remains a city employee for now. “He will not be teaching for us again,” Walcott said sternly. “We’re not going to tolerate this. This is unacceptable. He will not go back to teach at all.”
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Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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