Ex-Babylon Teacher Pleads Guilty To Endangering Welfare Of Child: DA

BABYLON, NY — A Babylon High School teacher has pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child, while previous charges against him, including rape, have been dropped, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Friday.

Timothy Harrison, a former special education teacher and sports coach, was arrested March 3, 2022, and was initially charged with two counts of third-degree rape and a count of third-degree criminal sexual act, after a woman claimed she had a sexual relationship with him when she was a high school student in 2013, officials said.

While he pleaded guilty in court in Riverhead to endangering the welfare of a child, the other charges were dismissed, Shannon Wilson, Deputy Director of Communications confirmed with Patch.

A jury trial was previously scheduled to begin on Sept. 27.

Between September and November 2013, Harrison sent the victim, who was 15 years old at the time, flirtatious text messages, gave her alcohol, and had sexual intercourse and oral sexual conduct with her at his residence in Oak Beach, according to an investigation and the defendant’s plea allocution.

As part of the plea, Harrison was also required to surrender his teaching license, the DA said. The plea was heard by Judge Karen M. Wilutis in Riverhead.

"This defendant abused his role as an educator and preyed on a teenaged student. Instead of being
a teacher, he took advantage of her,” said Tierney. "The courage shown by this young woman in reporting this crime, even though it had occurred eight years earlier, is amazing. This guilty plea ensures that Harrison will no longer be a teacher, and as such, current and future students will be protected from his predatory behavior."

Tierney also encouraged others to come forward, regardless of statute of limitations.

"We urge anyone who feels they have been sexually abused to come forward and report these crimes, no matter how long ago they occurred," he said. "We are thankful that this victim stepped forward, as reporting predators will protect others."

The guilty plea comes almost two years after dozens of alumni publicly came forward, accusing multiple district teachers of sexual and emotional abuse and accusing the district of turning a blind eye to it.

The outrage was ignited after a male teacher was escorted out of the classroom by law enforcement in October 2021 and was relieved of his responsibilities for “disturbing allegations” made about him. The teacher later resigned.

Attorney General Letitia James also launched an investigation into the district.

Tommi-Grace Melito Alvaro, Class of 2005, told Patch that as an identified abuse survivor, the guilty plea was long awaited.

"Nearly two years after all of these stories breaking open, we finally have an admission of what we all knew to be true,"said Alvaro. "At the end of the day, this is a historic moment for our communities and such a critical moment of healing and accountability for Babylon. I share my solidarity and support to the brave woman who first came forward, and to all survivors, both seen and unseen, known and unknown."

Babylon Superintendent Carisa Manza and Board of Education President Linda Jurs told Patch in a statement that they are committed to ensure students' safety:

"Consistent with our previous statement to the Babylon Community, this administration is making every effort to ensure the safety of our students and earn back the trust of the community. We have pursued all avenues available to us to attain justice for alleged victims of abuse in our schools, including notifying law enforcement in this particular case," they wrote.

The statement also said they denounce Harrison's admitted actions.

"Due to laws governing the confidentiality of staff and staff records and information, the Babylon School District cannot comment in detail on individual Babylon employees," the statement continued. However, we unequivocally condemn the crimes that the accused Babylon employee has pleaded guilty to.  As reported by the Suffolk County District Attorney, a central component of this resolution requires the employee 'to surrender his teaching license', ensuring that he will not return to a classroom again. The District remains steadfast to its mission to provide a high-quality education to our students in a safe, nurturing and engaging environment."

Harrison is due back in court for sentencing on Nov. 9.

Patch reached out to Kevin Keating, Harrison's attorney for comment.

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