Ossining janitor convicted of raping minor was allowed to keep job at school after arrest

OSSINING, New York (WABC) -- A janitor at a local school district was convicted of rape, but he was still able to keep his job.

Samuel Campbell was arrested more than a year ago and convicted on May 1st.

But Ossining district officials say police kept them in the dark and they had no idea about the arrest or conviction.

"Shocks me. How does that happen? Working with kids like that. Awful," said Lorraine Leggio, a grandparent.

They're not mincing words when it comes to the news, or in this case, the late news that a long time custodian at Brookside Elementary School is now a convicted felon.

Last month, Campbell was convicted of raping a minor.

He had been arrested last April but was out on bail, and working through the end of last school year and all of this school year.

He was working the day shift when students are in the building.

"You got to be responsible for the people working here. You can't have a guy working here, you can't have a guy here for 20 years without knowing his background," said Peter Krupowicz, a parent.

The school district claims it had no idea of the charges against Campbell, because no one in law enforcement in Dutchess County contacted them.

Campbell lives in Poughkeepsie where the crime took place.

Ossining school officials say the 54-year-old did not miss any significant time from work, even during his trial.

Once the guilty verdict was returned, Campbell was taken into custody.

"I'm a little concerned because I have my child at the school. I didn't hear nothing from the school. No letter, nothing from the school," said David Enamorado, a parent.

School officials wouldn't speak to Eyewitness News, but a letter was sent home which reads in part "had we been notified of his arrest, Mr. Campbell's employment would have been suspended until the legal process was completed, and he would have been directed to stay away from visiting Brookside or any other school in the district. Upon notification, the district immediately commenced action to terminate Mr. Campbell's employment."

"They have this guy working with kids and they don't have any idea that he has a background of being a sexual predator. I just think it's absolutely ridiculous," said Sabrina Silverman, a parent.