Brooklyn teacher allegedly molested 11-year-old student on field trip

The middle school teacher accused of molesting an 11-year-old East Flatbush student had sexual contact with her at least three times — including on a school bus during a field trip, a prosecutor said Tuesday at the disgraced educator’s arraignment.

Daniel Santiago stood cuffed as Assistant Brooklyn DA Wilfredo Cotto described how the 29-year-old — whose wife and infant child appeared in court with him — first grabbed the 11-year-old’s breast on a school bus, and then sat next to her and slid his hands down her pants on the return trip.

Santiago’s wife remained stone-faced as she heard Cotto tell the court how her husband later met the girl in a classroom at Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy inside PS 224, where he allegedly tried to kiss her and had her touch his penis.

During another classroom encounter, Santiago allegedly fondled the child’s buttocks and genitals over her clothing.

“There are multiple instances where the defendant asked the complainant to text pictures, and she sent photos of herself with panties and a shirt on,” Cotto said.

The prosecutor said that the inappropriate contact was only revealed when the girl’s friends started spreading rumors, and one eventually told an adult. The child at first told cops the rumors were false, but broke down and confessed after her cousin stole her cellphone and viewed the texts.

Defense attorney Michael Postiglione said his client “is well respected by his peers” and is “prepared to fight this case.”

Santiago’s wife declined comment as she left court with her mother and brother-in-law.

Judge Ellen Edwards ordered Santiago to stay away from the girl before ordering him held on $7,500 bond.

via: https://nypost.com/2019/04/16/brooklyn-teacher-allegedly-molested-11-year-old-student-on-field-trip/