The 8-year-old girl claims 35-year-old Hany Abdalla made a comment of a sexual nature at /*P.S. 84*/ on the /*Upper West Side*/.
Abdalla was charged with sex abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.
A paraprofessional at the school since May 2007, Abdalla was removed from the classroom and suspended without pay.
Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott released a statement, saying "On Monday, when we were notified of these allegations, we immediately removed Mr. Abdalla from the classroom, suspended him without pay and reported it to the authorities. When I stopped by the school this morning, I spoke to the principal, staff and some parents and reiterated that if true, behavior like this is unacceptable and I will not tolerate it in our schools."
The victim, a special education student, told special victims detectives that Abdalla touched her and forced her to touch his groin.
No other victims were reported.
Abdalla is at least the 18th education department employee to be arrested in 2012.
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