A teacher at a Massachusetts middle school has been charged with assaulting a student.
Police say 57-year-old Jeffrey Knight, who has worked at Cohasset Middle School since 2011, appeared in Quincy District Court Thursday to face two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14. According to police, all of the charges involve the same victim.
Knight is accused of touching a female student during class. The alleged incidents occurred in 2017 and 2018, police say.
Cohasset Public Schools confirmed that Knight has been placed on leave.
"I am disturbed and deeply troubled by these allegations," Superintendent Louise Demas said in a statement.
Demas added that counselors will be available at the town's middle school and high school. She also said she is encouraging families "to have an open and honest dialog with their children," and that she will be discussing the issues with faculty, staff and administrators in the coming weeks.
Anyone with information is asked to call Cohasset Police at 781-383-1055 Ext. 6107.
