DANVERS, MASS. (WHDH) - A 62-year-old culinary arts teacher is facing criminal charges after police say he sexually assaulted a student at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School in Danvers.
Robert Vandenbulcke, of Salisbury, is slated to be arraigned Thursday in Salem District Court on charges including two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, according to the Danvers Police Department.
Authorities launched an investigation into Vandenbulcke on Nov. 12 after a concerned parent notified them of an alleged incident involving a student that had occurred at the high school, police said.
Vandenbulcke was arrested at his home.
He has been placed on administrative leave.
“The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities. Essex Tech is cooperating fully with the Danvers Police Department and the school has launched its own investigation into the matter,” according to a statement released by Superintendent Heidi Riccio.
No additional information was immediately available.
Danvers police and state troopers assigned to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office are investigating.
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