Parents in Benicia are shocked and angry after learning a fifth grade teacher is accused of sexually assaulting at least two students.
They’re also learning the same teacher faced similar allegations at another Bay Area school 16 years ago, but was acquitted.
Matthew Shelton, 42, left court holding his wife’s hand on Monday.
He’s a former Robert Stemple Elementary teacher facing seven felony counts of lewd acts on a child.
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The prosecutor says the incidents involving one child took place on five occasions on the Robert Semple Elementary school grounds in 2022 -- the other during a school field trip five years ago.
“It's disturbing, we drop our kids off at school every day and we want them to feel as if they’re protected and it just doesn’t feel like that right now,” said a mother, who didn’t want to be identified. “It just seems like the hiring process is not what it should be for people that are dealing firsthand with our kids, our most prized possessions.”
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Now, parents are learning Shelton has faced similar charges. He was tried and acquitted in Napa in 2008 after being accused of inappropriately touching 8 and 9-year-old female students.
“The guy had a past of it, so who’s going to be surprised about these kids coming out about him again,” said grandparent Billy Smith.
In a video statement, Benicia Unified School District Superintendent Damon Wright said, in part, "We believe having an independent review of our systems will reinforce the comprehensiveness of our practices and it may offer additional recommendations for consideration. We will not shy away from embracing actions that will strengthen our commitment to excellence across our operations in service to students."
He told NBC Bay Area the teacher was removed immediately when the allegations surfaced in 2022 and the school notified parents as soon as they were legally able to do so once charges were filed.
“As an educator, and a father, I know that each and every day when families send their children to our schools, they are trusting us to treat them with respect and compassion,” said Wright. “They are trusting us to keep their children safe.”
Wright said the district is now reviewing and strengthening its hiring process and other protocols.
“We will not shy away from embracing actions that will strengthen our commitment to excellence across our operations and service to students,” said Wright.
“We have to protect our kids, we have to think of our kids first. We have to protect them over school district staff at all cost,” said the mother.
Parents say they’re glad the district is taking action and they hope the kids impacted can get the support they need.
“I just hope the kids can get therapy and help and the families can work through it. I know if it was our family we would be devastated,” said the mother.
Shelton has pleaded not guilty to the charges and will be back in court on May 6.
