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A man has been charged with sexual imposition after he was caught groping his 16-year-old step-daughter on camera in front of her class and teachers.
The incident occurred while the teen girl was attending a class at the Ohio Virtual Academy along with 39 other students on Wednesday, 28th September.
Her stepfather’s assault was reportedly seen by all of the students and the teacher, Berea police from the US state of Ohio reported.
Following the incident, the stepfather David Lowe, 52, who is already a registered sex offender was charged with sexual imposition on Thursday, 29th September.
Lieutenant Tom Walker from the Berea Police Department said: “The Ohio Virtual Academy reported to our department that a female high school student was attending class online at her home in Berea when a male identified as her stepfather came up behind her wearing only his underwear and rubbed his crotch against the back of her head.
He explained that the teacher’s quick reaction led to the offender’s immediate arrest.
Authorities also made sure to provide the 16-year-old girl with some necessary help following the traumatic experience.
Walker said: The teacher seeing this obscene behavior reached out to our department and knowing that the student was attending online here at her home in Berea and made us aware of what she had seen.”
He advised parents to always be aware of what their child could see even in the classroom and added: “See something, say something.
“As law enforcement officials, it’s our job to protect the children in our community and we want to be aware of any obscene behaviors that occur like this.”
Head of the Ohio Virtual Academy Kristin Stewart said: “Ohio Virtual Academy is aware of the unfortunate incident last week and immediately reached out to the parents and the appropriate authorities.
“As a rule, OHVA always offers students access to licensed school counselors and the availability of outside clinical staff through our partnership with Syntero for any further mental health supports needed by students.”
Meanwhile, Lowe pleaded not guilty to the charges and posted a USD 50,000 (GBP 44,200) bond.
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