A Long Island teacher’s assistant who works with children with autism has been arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year-old student, authorities say.
Marcus Johnson, a 27-year-old assistant at Bay Shore High School, was arrested Thursday in connection with the alleged prolonged abuse involving the teenager. Authorities say he allegedly started abusing the girl when she was 14; she is not one of his students, but she is a student at the school, they say.
Johnson had sex with the girl twice at his Bay Shore home, just blocks away from the high school, according to prosecutors and court documents.
He is charged with rape and endangering the welfare of a child, according to Suffolk County police. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday. His attorney declined comment outside court.
A man outside Johnson's home waved reporters away without comment, and his lawyer remained silent after his client pleaded not guilty Friday.
Police say Johnson worked with students with autism at the school.
Parents were shocked to hear of his arrest.
"Disgusted to think that a teacher's assistant we rely on to teach our kids and be there for them would do something like this," one parent said.
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The school district referred the case to Suffolk County police. It says the safety of students is its "paramount concern."
Authorities say anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Special Victims Section at 631-852-6531.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story showed a photo of a person who is not Marcus Johnson.
