San Jose Teacher Faces 3 Additional Charges of Molesting Students

SAN JOSE (KCBS) — A San Jose elementary school teacher being held without bail on charges of sexually abusing two students now faces three additional counts against three additional alleged victims.

Craig Chandler, 35, taught at O.B Whaley Elementary School for nine years, was arrested in January, originally charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct on children under 14.

Three more girls have come forward with allegations that they were molested by Chandler.

Deputy District Attorney Allison Filo said all five victims were from his second and third-grade class and that on Friday morning an amended complaint with the additional counts was filed.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

"It's inconceivable for something like that to happen on school grounds," Filo said. "I think every parent has a right to send their child to school with the expectation that they'll not only receive an education, but that they'll be safe," she added.

Filo commented that he violated his position of trust and that what he did is every parent's worst nightmare.

Chandler has been held without bail for the last two months and faces life in prison.

He's scheduled to enter a plea on March 16th. His attorney Steven Clark, said his client continues to maintain his innocence.

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