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BEDFORD HILLS---An elementary school principal has pleaded not guilty to charges that she failed to report the alleged rape of a nine-year-old student.
Victoria Graboski, principal of the Bedford Hills Elementary School, was placed on paid leave last month after it was alleged that she had failed to report to police that the student had been raped by a family acquaintance.
It was alleged that school administrators had learned about the sexual abuse in December but didn't report it to police. Bedford Police have said that the suspect, a 27-year-old Guatemalan immigrant, may have fled the country.
Graboski's attorney has said that she was never notified about the incident by a parent, the victim or a guardian and that the alleged incident did not occur on school property. Two teachers have also been placed on paid leave and three other staff members have been suspended without pay.
According to a letter sent to parents last week by school officials, prosecutors were investigating if district officials had "appropriately fulfilled their legal reporting obligations". The district said that "no district personnel were involved in the suspected child abuse" and said that the alleged abuse did not occur on school grounds.
If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, Grabowski could be sentenced to up to a year in jail. 9-17-06
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© 2006 North
Country Gazette
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