San Benito High School teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

SAN BENITO -- A teacher has been placed on administrative leave with pay while school police investigate a sexual assault charge by a student.

"An investigation into the alleged incident is currently being conducted by the San Benito CISD Police Department and Child Protective Services has also launched its own investigation," Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón said in a written statement.

"We do not want to jeopardize the integrity of the investigation, therefore, we cannot provide any further details at this time."

The Nov. 11 incident is being handled by San Benito CISD police, but a report was made with the San Benito Police Department around 9 p.m. the day the alleged incident occurred.

According to the SBPD report, the victim made an outcry to her foster parent at home around 5 p.m. after she was dropped off by a school bus.

The alleged assault took place in a portable building of the San Benito High School for special education students, according to the SBPD report.

The high school student reported to her foster parent that she had been sexually assaulted on a nurse's bed inside the portable building.

The complainant stated that the teenager identified the man as her teacher.

The teacher reportedly kissed and fondled the student before penetrating her and performing oral sex on the girl, the report states.

The complainant told police that the girl said "no" and began to cry before her teacher "covered her mouth."

According to the report, after the incident, the teacher told the "victim that he loved her and took her to the bus stop where the students get boarded."

The girl's foster parent asked the girl a number of times about the series of events and each account was similar, police said.

The report also states that the girl is bipolar and takes medications.

It is unclear if a rape test kit was conducted on the girl, but the report states that a forensic nurse at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen said that all the proper procedures were done.

Limón said if the evidence in the case needs to be forwarded to the Cameron County District Attorney's Office, police would do so when the investigation is completed.

It is unclear how long the investigation may take; Limón was out of town Monday and could not be reached for comment.