Sexual assault reported at Charles middle school

School administrators and the school resource officer at John Hanson Middle School was notified on Wednesday of a sexual assault that occurred had occurred the day before at the school in Waldorf.

A preliminary investigation showed a student lured another student into a bathroom on May 7 and groped and inappropriately touched the student, a Charles County Sheriff’s Office press release says.

The involved student will be charged with fourth-degree sex offense and second-degree assault and also faces disciplinary consequences from Charles County public school system, according to the sheriff’s office.

Ben Kohlhorst, principal of John Hanson Middle, sent a letter home to families. “Due to privacy reasons, I am not able to share any additional information regarding the investigation,” the principal said. “I can share that every student has a right to come to school, feel safe and walk safely among their peers in our hallways, classrooms and schools. Assault is not tolerated among our students or by our students.”

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact sheriff’s officer Hancock at 301-609-3282, ext. 0499.