Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw announced that a special education teacher at Chatsworth Elementary School, who was charged last year with sexually touching seven children while they were enrolled there, has been indicted on those offenses and charged with touching an additional seven students.

A Burlington County grand jury returned a 28-count indictment against Vincent Root, 59, of Philadelphia, charging him with 14 counts of Sexual Assault (Second Degree) and 14 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Second Degree). Root, who was originally charged in October 2023, entered a plea of not guilty at his arraignment last week. He is free pending trial.

The investigation began in September 2023 after a student came forward and accused Root of touching him inappropriately during previous school years. The investigation revealed that the victims, all of whom are male, were touched in classrooms inside the school building. The investigation further revealed that the abuse occurred over a multi-year period.

The names and ages of the victims, along with specific information of their enrollment dates, are being withheld in an attempt to protect their identities.

The investigation was conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police. The lead investigator was BCPO Detective Gary D’Alessio. Root is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Eife, supervisor of the BCPO Special Victims Unit.

Anyone who believes they were victimized by this defendant is asked to send an email to tips@co.burlington.nj.us, or call 609-265-5035 and ask to speak to a detective in the Special Victims Unit.

An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

2024-14 Chatsworth Teacher Indicted, Faces Additional Charges of Touching Students