West Nyack, NY - Jesse Kaplan School Teacher's Aide Accused of Sexually Assaulting Non-Verbal Student

New York Teacher’s Aide Accused of Sexually Assaulting a Nonverbal Student

Clarkstown police are investigating sexual assault allegations involving a teacher’s aide and a 14-year-old nonverbal student at the Jesse Kaplan School in West Nyack, according to the student’s mother and a heavily redacted Clarkstown police incident report according to News 12.

The mother stated that she remains frustrated that no arrests have been made weeks after the alleged incident.

Sexual Abuse Allegation Centers on Report Inside the Classroom

According to the redacted Clarkstown police incident report, a school staff member told police they saw a 46-year-old teacher’s aide with his hand down the front of the girl’s pants inside a classroom on May 6, 2026.

The girl attends the Rockland BOCES school through an out-of-district placement from Orange County and has been a student there since 2022, the mother said.

Mother Says Daughter Cannot Explain What Happened

“I was told a male teacher’s assistant sexually assaulted my daughter,” the mother said. “My heart just sank to hear something like that.”

The incident report states the mother was notified the same day and that the girl was taken to Westchester Medical Center for what police described as a pediatric sexual assault evaluation. The mother said her daughter later underwent additional medical treatment and testing.

The mother said her daughter is severely autistic and nonverbal and cannot explain what happened herself.

She said her daughter has since been pulled from school and is now being homeschooled while the family works through therapy and trauma counseling.

Calls for Cameras and Stronger Protections

Now, the mother is calling for accountability and for cameras inside classrooms serving nonverbal students.

“Without cameras, there are no other protections besides someone else speaking up, like what this teacher did,” she said.

District Attorney Responds to Student Abuse Allegations

The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the investigation remains active but said no charges have been filed at this time.

Rockland BOCES said in a statement to News 12 that it is aware of the allegations and confirmed the employee has been placed on leave and is not permitted on school property while the investigation continues.

“Rockland BOCES is cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities and is also conducting its own investigation into the allegations,” the statement read.

The factual information above was sourced from news12.com as of May 22, 2026.

The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.

What Families Can Do When a School Employee Sexually Abuses a Child

When a teacher's aide is accused of sexually assaulting a student, the criminal investigation is only part of the picture. For families — particularly those with nonverbal or disabled children who depend entirely on the adults around them — navigating the aftermath can feel overwhelming. What rights do they have? Who can be held responsible beyond the individual accused? And how much time do they have to act? New York sexual abuse attorney Thomas Giuffra has spent years representing survivors of institutional abuse. We sat down with him to find out what the law actually offers families in these situations, and what steps they need to take before it's too late.

Q: What options can victims or families consider when the alleged perpetrator is a school aide?

A: There are several tracks. Victims can work through the criminal process if charges are brought, but families may also pursue civil claims against the appropriate parties. In school-related cases, these can include claims related to negligence or failure to protect, depending on the facts and what oversight existed.

Q: What should families do early, before legal deadlines come into play?

A: Document everything that’s available—medical evaluations, incident reporting, communications with the school or district, and any information provided by law enforcement. It’s also important to get legal guidance quickly so the right claims aren’t lost due to timing rules.

Q: Are there specific challenges when a victim is nonverbal or severely disabled?

A: Yes. The legal system still requires evidence, so medical records, expert support, and witness accounts become even more important. Families should also consider what accommodations and protections are necessary for safety and recovery, while the investigation proceeds.

Q: How does a current criminal investigation affect the civil side?

A: It can change strategy. Sometimes civil cases are coordinated around the criminal timeline, and the goal is often to protect the victim’s interests without creating conflicts. A lawyer can evaluate the best sequencing based on what’s known at each stage.

Q: What message would you give to families feeling stuck while authorities investigate?

A: Don’t assume nothing can be done. The investigation matters, but legal options may exist alongside it—and the earlier families get informed, the better positioned they are to protect the victim and pursue accountability.

Your Voice. Their Accountability. Free Legal Help Is One Call Away.

If your child has been sexually abused by a school employee, teacher's aide, or any trusted adult in a position of authority, you do not have to face the system alone. The law may give you more options than you realize — including the right to hold schools and institutions directly responsible for failing to protect your child. Time limits apply, and in New York, the clock can start running from the day of the incident. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with an attorney who understands what your family is going through. There is no obligation, no pressure, and no cost to find out where you stand.