Hommocks Teacher Charged With Child Endangerment

by Judy Silberstein

(April 8, 2006) On Friday, April 7, the chorus teacher at Hommocks Middle School was arrested and charged with six counts of endangering the welfare of a child. According to a release from the Mamaroneck Town Police, Omar J. Rodriguez, 28, was arraigned and remanded to the Westchester County Jail on $15,000 bail. By Saturday afternoon, he had made bail and been released. He is due to be back in Mamaroneck Court on Monday evening, April 10.

On Friday afternoon, a News 12 Westchester van was seen at the Hommocks school, and the television station began reporting that it had received anonymous reports from two parents about the teacher. The parents said their children had heard students claim that the “teacher touched them inappropriately and may have taken illicit pictures of underage students.”

A release dated April 6 from the Mamaroneck School District reported, “A member of the Hommocks Middle School staff has been administratively reassigned pending an investigation about a student complaint.” The release concluded, “As this is a confidential personnel matter, the district is not allowed by law to comment further.”

A letter from Hommocks Principal Seth Weitzman was mailed on Friday to Hommocks parents explaining that he had visited sixth, seventh and eighth grade chorus classes to introduce a new temporary chorus teacher.

The letter also said, “Since most middle school youngsters understand how it feels to have rumors circulate about them, I encouraged students not to speculate or necessarily believe everything they hear.” He had also reminded students that they are “always encouraged to speak to counselors, teachers and administrators who are here to help children about feelings they are experiencing.”

Reached on Saturday, the district spokesperson, Joan Rosen, said a new letter will be mailed out to parents on Monday with updated information.

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