Brooklyn elementary school teacher accused of sexually abusing young girls

FLATBUSH (WABC) -- An elementary school science teacher in Brooklyn is accused of sexually abusing at least five young students.

The incidents allegedly happened on school property at PS 249 The Caton School in Flatbush.

Police say 36-year-old Omil Carrasquillo sexually abused five girls between 9 and 11 years old inside the school from late 2013 to as recently as this month, when police say a student came forward.

As soon as the school was notified about one incident that reportedly happened in September, they immediately launched an investigation.

They say the incidents involved inappropriate touching and rubbing.

Carrasquillo was arraigned Thursday afternoon and ordered held on bail of $50,000. The judge also issued five orders or protection and told Carrasquillo to stay away from the little girls.

The Department of Education released a statement saying, "These allegations are disturbing, and we removed Mr. Carrasquillo immediately: He is not near any students. We are investigating the matter and supporting this school community."

Carrasquillo was fired as of Friday, and he was taken into police custody Wednesday morning.

He is charged with sex abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. He worked for the DOE since 2006.

Authorities say he hugged, touched and rubbed the breasts and backsides of the girls.

One parent was stunned to hear the allegations, saying Carrasquillo has been very helpful with her children.

"So good, so good. He's a good person. For me, I'm very surprised. Something happened, I don't know," said the parent, Meaiy Arias.

Another parent who lives near PS 249 has a 9-year old girl.

"It's scary, sometimes we use the school playground to play. This has to be investigated, this is unacceptable," said the parent, Ilea Nievis-Hogue.

The prosecutor spoke about two of the alleged victims. "The complainant witness is inappropriately touched on two separate occasions, a different complainant witness is touched inappropriately once or twice a month," he said.

Carrasquillo lives in Selden, Long Island, is married and has a 7-year old son. "I would never have expected that. I mean they seem like a normal, happily married couple," said neighbor Louis Delborrello.

The suspect's attorney touched on his military background, explaining why his client, who was in the Army, is not a flight risk.

"Because when our country was in war, when our country was in trouble, Mr. Carrasquillo, he ran to the problem, he went voluntarily and willingly, and that's how he chooses to fight this case," said attorney Gregory Esposito.