New York, August 23: A 33-year-old teacher at the Corona Arts and Sciences Academy in Queens, Melissa Rockensies, was arrested on charges of raping and sexually abusing a 14-year-old student. The arrest took place around 10:30 am in Queens, as reported by the police. The alleged incident's location, whether on or off-campus, remains unclear. According to the New York Post report, Rockensies faces charges including rape, criminal sexual act, and acting in a manner injurious to a child under 17, according to the NYPD.

The Department of Education (DOE) stated that Rockensies, earning around USD 85,000 annually, has been reassigned from the school while the case's outcome is awaited. If convicted, the DOE intends to pursue her termination. Ironically, a social media post from October 2021 on a page believed to belong to Rockensies discussed helping children understand consent, emphasizing the importance of respecting a child's comfort regarding physical contact. US Shocker: Worker Dies After Being 'Sucked' Into Engine of Delta Air Lines Plane at San Antonio International Airport.

Rockensies, with over a decade of teaching experience, was arrested at the Forest Hills 112th Precinct stationhouse. She was arraigned on charges of rape, committing a criminal sex act, and acting injuriously towards a child. Released without bail, her lawyer could not be reached for comment. The DOE spokesperson stated that the safety and well-being of students remain paramount. US Shocker: Three-Year-Old Child Finds Gun, Accidently Shoots Dead One-Year-Old Sister in California's Fallbrook.

In a similar incident, a former private school teacher, Anne N Nelson-Koch, 74, from Monroe County, Wisconsin, has been found guilty on all 25 counts related to the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old male student. The assaults occurred repeatedly during the 2016-2017 school year in the school's basement. Despite the victim's age of 14 and Nelson-Koch's age of 67 at the time, the jury took just five hours to reach a unanimous guilty verdict following a three-day trial. Assistant District Attorney Sarah M Skiles praised the victim's courage in speaking the truth.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2023 11:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).