Teacher at Jamaica Plain school charged with sexual contact with child

A teacher at the Mission Hill K-8 school was arraigned today on a charge of indecent assault and battery on a minor for a Sunday incident at Boston Medical Center, the Suffolk County DA's office says.

Boston Police responded to the scene at about 6:00 yesterday evening after being notified by BUMC Police about an alleged sexual assault at the hospital earlier that afternoon. After speaking with witnesses at the scene, including BUMC Police officers who had reviewed footage from hospital surveillance cameras, Cortes was taken into custody.

Boston Municipal Court Judge Michael Coyne imposed $500 cash bail; prosecutors had asked for $10,000 bail.

The DA's office did not release the relationship between Cortes and the child to protect the child's identity.

BPS reports Juan P. Cortes, who teaches third and fourth grade, was put on immediate leave. In a robocall to parents, BPS said:

This individual has been in our school over several years. Like you, we have a lot of questions. The priority now is to protect the young person who this individual is alleged to have hurt. That means we may not be able to get many answers – but please know that we are doing everything in our power to support the investigation. We have great teachers here at the Mission Hill K-8. We are a great school. Every parent and student is a part of our family. We know this is very, very hard to hear. It is distressing. At the same time, it is our obligation to share with you what we know. This individual is on administrative leave. This incident is alleged to have taken place on a weekend, and not in our school. Boston Police are investigating thoroughly and we are helping them in every way possible.

In a statement, interim Superintendent John McDonough said Cortes had passed a background check when hired and then additional checks during his time at the school.

The Mission Hill school is housed in the former Agassiz School on Child Street. Last week, two students at the Margarita Muñiz Academy, which shares the building, were attacked across the street from the school. One was stabbed.

Innocent, etc.