Clark band teacher accused of fondling girl, 14 (IN)
Catherine
Clark band teacher accused of fondling girl, 14
By Dan Hinkel
Friday, September 05, 2008
HAMMOND | The band teacher at Clark Middle/High School was arrested
after school Wednesday over accusations he fondled a 14-year-old girl
at school, authorities said.
The eighth-grader's father told police that James Ciammetti, 40, of
Oak Lawn, recently fondled the girl at the school in Hammond's
Robertsdale neighborhood, Hammond police Lt. Richard Hoyda said.
Ciammetti was held at the Hammond police station Thursday night. He
was not charged Thursday, but investigators planned to present their
case to the prosecutor's office today, Hoyda said. Hoyda expected
Thursday that Ciammetti will face charges of child molestation and
child solicitation.
Ciammetti is suspended without pay because of the "seriousness of the
situation," Hammond schools Superintendent Walter Watkins said.
Ciammetti will remain suspended during the investigation, Watkins
said.
"This issue is in the hands of the Hammond Police Department," Watkins
said.
Ciammetti has taught for 16 years, according to state records. He has
a master's degree and holds a teaching license that will expire in
July, according to state records. A state-maintained class roster
shows that last school year Ciammetti taught a multiple-grade
instrumental music class and concert band classes for high school
students. The roster also lists Ciammetti as a "middle level adviser"
for eighth-graders.
The allegations relate to one student, Hoyda said. Ciammetti's arrest
relates to a single alleged crime within the past two weeks, Hoyda
said. There are no allegations of sexual intercourse, Hoyda said.
Investigators searched parts of the school, Hoyda said. Hoyda could
not say if officers executed a search warrant on Ciammetti's home.
Clark Principal Reid Amones spoke with the girl's family, Watkins
said. School staff shared information with police, Watkins said.
Ciammetti was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Clark, Hoyda said.
"I'm not sure if there were other students around," Watkins said.
"It's possible there were some kids lingering around."
Times staff writer Carmen McCollum contributed to this report.