San Jose Principal Accused Of Not Reporting Alleged Teacher Sex Abuse
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A San Jose principal is facing charges of failing to report evidence that a teacher molested a student despite learning of the allegations in October of last year.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office said its investigation revealed that principal Lyn Vijayendran, 36, was given clear evidence that teacher Craig Chandler had sexually assaulted a second grade student at O.B. Whaley Elementary School but failed to carry out her legal obligation to report it to police.
Vijayendran was charged Tuesday with a misdemeanor for failure to report child abuse and could face up to six months in jail if convicted, according to the district attorney's office.
Prosecutors said that after learning of allegations that Chandler had molested the student, Vijayendran interviewed the teacher and the girl and told the student's parent that a suspicious stain on the girl's jacket was unimportant, leading the mother to wash the jacket and destroy potential DNA evidence.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
"The clear legal responsibility for professionals who hear these terrible allegations is not to call meetings, it is to call 911," Deputy District Attorney Alison Filo said.
The district attorney's office said authorities learned of the allegations in January while Vijayendran was on maternity leave. At that time, another parent came forward with molestation allegations that were reported to police, who launched an investigation.
The police investigation found a total of five students at the elementary school that reported evidence of being molested by Chandler, according to the district attorney's office.
Chandler was charged with five felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14.
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