New Jersey special education teacher accused of sexually abusing 14 students

BURLINGTON COUNTY, N.J. (TCD) -- A 59-year-old special education teacher from Philadelphia faces 28 new charges after allegedly sexually assaulting at least 14 male students at a New Jersey elementary school where he worked.

The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office first charged Vincent Root in October 2023 on suspicion of sexually touching seven students while they were enrolled at Chatsworth Elementary School. At the time, he was charged with seven counts of second-degree sexual assault and seven counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

The investigation into Root began in September 2023 after a student came forward about the defendant’s alleged actions during previous school years. According to the prosecutor’s office, further investigation revealed Root allegedly inappropriately touched the victims in classrooms over a period of several years, but authorities did not specify when.

On Friday, May 24, the prosecutor’s office announced further charges against Root, alleging there were an additional seven students he sexually touched while they were enrolled at the school.

A jury recently indicted Root on 14 counts of second-degree sexual assault and 14 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Root pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. He is not in custody as he awaits trial.