Teacher Denied Bond In Sex Abuse Case That Left Judge 'Deeply Disturbed': Report

SEVERNA PARK, MD — The teacher accused of sexually abusing several students in Anne Arundel County was held without bond on Friday, court records show.

Judge Kemp Hammond said he was "deeply disturbed" by the allegations against 44-year-old Matthew Scott Banks Schlegel of Severna Park, WJZ reported. Schlegel's attorney said the teacher is innocent.

Schlegel was arrested at his home Thursday and accused of abusing eight of his female students at Severna Park Elementary School. He faces 36 charges ranging from second-degree assault to sex abuse of minors. The records allege that the encounters happened from August 2022 through March 2024.

"As parents, we just want to protect our kids and sending them to school is supposed to be a safe place" Severna Park resident Chris Gillespie told WJZ.

The charging documents accuse the third-grade teacher of abusing his current and former students during his math class.

"He was suspended by Anne Arundel County Public Schools and we were aware of these allegations for about a month," Schlegel's defense attorney Peter O'Neill said in his unsuccessful push for house arrest, according to WJZ. "If he wanted to flee, he could have certainly taken the opportunity to do so. He didn't because he wants to defend himself. He's innocent."

Schlegel's next court date is a preliminary hearing on June 12.

The alleged victims accused Schlegel of touching them inappropriately, the charging documents said.

Witnesses reported seeing "the victims on Schlegel's lap during class," the documents said.

Court records say Schlegel is up against seven counts each of sex abuse of a minor, third-degree sex offense, fourth-degree sex offense (sexual contact) and fourth-degree sex offense (person of authority). He is also charged with eight counts of second-degree assault.

If found guilty on all charges, Schlegel's maximum sentence is 339 years and his maximum fine is $34,000.

"Our school system immediately reassigned Mr. Schlegel and he no longer works in any capacity in the system where students are present," Anne Arundel County Public Schools spokesperson Bob Mosier told Patch in a Thursday email.

Schlegel has worked for AACPS since 2008. He worked at Severna Park Elementary from 2016 to this year.

"This is an issue that has had a dramatic impact on this school community since the first allegation came to light months ago," Mosier said. "We also have provided – and continue to provide – resources for students and staff at the school."

Acting Severna Park Elementary Principal Sharon Hansen wrote a letter to families Thursday to inform them of the arrest. Principal Kyle Butler is currently on prearranged paternal leave.

"AACPS promptly turned the matter over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and have been working with them since that time," Hansen said. "Our school system is ready to support the school’s needs as necessary."

Butler first notified families of the investigation in a March 18 letter.

"Mr. Schlegel will be out of our school indefinitely," Butler said in his initial letter, outlining the ensuing substitute teacher plans.

Butler gave families a second update with more details on April 7.

"An allegation involving Mr. Schlegel was presented to me and, as is the normal course of action, I immediately reported that allegation to our school system’s Office of Investigations so that it could be appropriately addressed," Butler wrote in the second letter. "It is not uncommon for that office to remove staff from positions of direct contact with students while issues are investigated. Such an action does not imply guilt, but is simply a precautionary measure to allow the investigation to take place without additional fear or anxiety being imposed on any party."

Butler said he acted swiftly but won't disclose specifics of the case.

"First and foremost, I want to make abundantly clear that I have acted immediately, appropriately, and prudently with any information that has come to my attention," the principal said. "Except in conversations with families that are directly impacted, I cannot – and will not – detail the information that led to Mr. Schlegel being away from our building. Both the families involved and Mr. Schlegel have a right to privacy and confidentiality and a right to have this process play out in its entirety."

Butler added that his team will continue its "support to those involved in this case ... for as long as necessary." He invited students to discuss their feelings with school counselors.

"I fully realize both the emotion that comes with a situation like this and the frustration that accompanies not being able to be provided with every answer. I can simply assure you that the process is proceeding appropriately," Butler said. "If there is a point in time where I am able to share more information regarding this matter with you, please be assured I will do so."

Although an arrest has been made, detectives asked anybody with any information on this or other potential cases to call (410) 222-4733. Tipsters can stay anonymous by dialing (410) 222-4700.

Related:

• Severna Park Elementary Teacher Abused 8 Students: Charging Docs
• Teacher Removed From School, Misconduct Investigated In AACPS: Reports