By Howard Koplowitz
A Springfield Gardens teacher’s aide was charged Thursday with sexually abusing six female students over the last four months, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Brett Picou, 30, of 120 Beach 26th St. in Far Rockaway, is a paraprofessional at PD 52 at 178-37 146th Terrace in Springfield Gardens and was arraigned Thursday night in Queens Criminal Court on charges of sexual abuse, forcible touching, sexual conduct against a child and endangering the welfare of a child, a spokesman for Brown said.
Picou allegedly hugged 9- and 10-year old girls and moved his hands down their backs and then touched their buttocks on multiple occasions between Nov. 1 and Feb. 15, Brown said.
Picou also allegedly slapped the buttocks of one child and held the buttocks of other female students as they walked up a staircase, the DA said.
A Queens Criminal Court judge set Picou’s bail at $25,000 bond or $12,500 cash and ordered him to return to court Feb. 28.
It was not immediately clear if Picou made bail. the spokesman said.
The alleged incidents come after a Kew Gardens Hills elementary school computer teacher was charged with sexually touching male students.
“I am sad to report, once again, that a professional employed in our public schools has been accused of inappropriately touching students,” Brown said in a statement. “The charges in cases of this nature are disturbing on a number of different levels. When parents deliver their kids into the custody of teaching professionals, they have a right to assume they will not be abused. The alleged actions of this defendant can never be tolerated.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
