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A St. Mary's County elementary school teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old former student after he allegedly plied the boy with alcohol until he passed out, authorities said.
Charles J. McNevich, a physical education teacher at George Washington Carver Elementary School, was arrested Monday shortly after he acknowledged to detectives that he had fondled the boy and kissed him on April 27, according to charging documents in District Court.
It was unclear yesterday whether McNevich, 38, had retained a lawyer. He could not be reached for comment. The telephone at his home in Lexington Park does not ring unless the caller enters an access code.
McNevich has been placed on paid administrative leave by the school system pending the outcome of the case, said Edward Weiland, director of human resources for St. Mary's County schools.
The boy told police that while he was spending the night at the teacher's home with parental permission, McNevich gave him beer, according to the charging documents. The boy passed out and, when he awoke, McNevich was molesting him, according to the charging documents. Police said the boy told them he ran out of the house.
St. Mary's County sheriff's Detective William Raddatz said the boy told investigators that McNevich had given him alcohol several times recently. Raddatz said the boy, now in high school, was a student of McNevich's several years ago, and the two remained close as the child grew up.
The Washington Post generally does not reveal the identity of alleged victims of sexual abuse.
McNevich is charged with child abuse, fourth-degree sex offense, second-degree assault and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was released on $5,000 bond yesterday morning. Conviction of the most serious offense, child abuse, is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
McNevich was named "teacher of the year" for St. Mary's County in the 2000-01 school year by the state Department of Education. The department praised McNevich for mixing physical education with other subjects, such as math, physics and creative writing.
In the fall 2000 edition of Maryland Classroom, a state Education Department newsletter, the department wrote, "Chuck's definition of an outstanding teacher is 'one who puts the needs of his students before his own.' "
McNevich has taught at Carver Elementary for at least 10 years, winning praise from colleagues, said Principal Mark Murphy.
"He is a highly skilled educator," Murphy said.
Charles J. McNevich, a physical education teacher at George Washington Carver Elementary School, was arrested Monday shortly after he acknowledged to detectives that he had fondled the boy and kissed him on April 27, according to charging documents in District Court.
It was unclear yesterday whether McNevich, 38, had retained a lawyer. He could not be reached for comment. The telephone at his home in Lexington Park does not ring unless the caller enters an access code.
McNevich has been placed on paid administrative leave by the school system pending the outcome of the case, said Edward Weiland, director of human resources for St. Mary's County schools.
The boy told police that while he was spending the night at the teacher's home with parental permission, McNevich gave him beer, according to the charging documents. The boy passed out and, when he awoke, McNevich was molesting him, according to the charging documents. Police said the boy told them he ran out of the house.
St. Mary's County sheriff's Detective William Raddatz said the boy told investigators that McNevich had given him alcohol several times recently. Raddatz said the boy, now in high school, was a student of McNevich's several years ago, and the two remained close as the child grew up.
The Washington Post generally does not reveal the identity of alleged victims of sexual abuse.
McNevich is charged with child abuse, fourth-degree sex offense, second-degree assault and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was released on $5,000 bond yesterday morning. Conviction of the most serious offense, child abuse, is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
McNevich was named "teacher of the year" for St. Mary's County in the 2000-01 school year by the state Department of Education. The department praised McNevich for mixing physical education with other subjects, such as math, physics and creative writing.
In the fall 2000 edition of Maryland Classroom, a state Education Department newsletter, the department wrote, "Chuck's definition of an outstanding teacher is 'one who puts the needs of his students before his own.' "
McNevich has taught at Carver Elementary for at least 10 years, winning praise from colleagues, said Principal Mark Murphy.
"He is a highly skilled educator," Murphy said.