State Report Critical On Sexual Misconduct At New London Schools

New London CT

24 February, 2022

10:54 AM

Description

NEW LONDON, CT — An investigation by the state Office of the Child Advocate into sexual misconduct by two New London school employees discovered historic lapses in the district's hiring practices and failure to adhere to mandated reporting requirements, according to The New London Day. The 22-page report makes a host of recommendations, many of those focusing on protecting vulnerable children from sexual misconduct. The report is connected to an investigation that began in 2019 when police charged Corriche Gaskin, a climate control specialist working with troubled youth, with sexually assaulting two girls while working at the district's middle school. Gaskin was accused of violently raping a victim in his office at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, then threatening to kill her if she said anything. Gaskin faced several charges including second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child. Earlier this month, Gaskin pleaded no contest to two charges of risk of injury to a minor under a plea agreement with state prosecutors, The New London Day reported. The state report also focuses on the case of a former paraprofessional and track coach at the school accused of having inappropriate relationships with students and allegations of sex with a 16-year-old student. The former employee was never prosecuted, according to The New London Day. See related: Gaskin Now Accused Of Twice Violently Raping Middle School Girl