Hany Abdalla, the married father of three, was freed late Thursday night after the charges made by a second-grader were disputed by other students and teachers.
The 8-year-old girl claimed the 35-year-old Abdalla made a comment of a sexual nature. A paraprofessional at the school since May 2007, Abdalla was removed from the classroom and suspended without pay.
The victim, a special education student, had told special victims detectives that Abdalla touched her and forced her to touch his groin.
The District Attorney's office continues its investigation and released the following statement:
"We have deferred any decision to prosecute until we complete our investigation. Because that is continuing, we will have no further comment. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office encourages any victims or parents of victims to contact their Sex Crimes Unit."
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