The principal of a Houston, Texas high school and two other school officials have been charged for failing to report several students’ allegations of sexual abuse, according to the Associated Press.
Two 17-year-old male students of Sharpstown High School reported to Principal Rob Gasparello that they had been inappropriately touched by a teacher at the school. A 16-year-old female also reported to Gasparello that she was sexually abused before school, according to reports.
Gasparello was charged with three counts of failure to report child abuse. If convicted, he could be sentenced up to one year for each charge. Assistant Principals Jason Thompson and Silvio Leiva were each charged with one count of failing to report child abuse. An arrest warrant has been issued for the teacher implicated in the alleged abuse of the two young men.
District Attorney Devon Anderson pledged a zero-tolerance policy for failing to report accusations of child abuse.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re the principal of a high school or a janitor at a high school or a teacher or a neighbor,” Anderson said, “If you fail to protect the child in your care, if you have reason to believe a child has been abused and you don’t report it, we will prosecute you.”