An elementary school teacher in Anne Arundel County, Maryland is under investigation after being accused of inappropriately touching several students, according to an investigation by Fox45 Project Baltimore.

Matthew Schlegel, a third-grade teacher at Severna Park Elementary School, was removed from the classroom indefinitely on March 18th. “Parents were notified that Schlegel had been removed from the school ‘indefinitely’ and a long-term substitute would be teaching the class. Parents were not told why Schlegel was removed from the classroom,” Project Baltimore reported.

The allegations first came to light on March 15th when a third-grade student reported that Schlegel had touched her inappropriately. In early April, three more students came forward with similar allegations against the teacher, a parent of one of the alleged victims told Project Baltimore.

According to accounts and correspondence between parents and school officials reviewed by Project Baltimore, the alleged abuse occurred during school hours inside Schlegel’s third-grade classroom. “The parent who spoke to Project Baltimore said there are additional alleged victims, including students who are now in middle school.”

Anne Arundel County Police confirmed they have an active investigation into Schlegel but “due to the nature of the case” they cannot comment on the specific allegations, Project Baltimore stated.

The school district has reassigned Schlegel to a position where he no longer works with students pending the investigation. However, “parents say, as of Wednesday, the school had not removed Schlegel’s personal items from the classroom, including his photograph, further traumatizing the alleged victims. The school’s website still lists Schlegel as a third-grade teacher,” according to Project Baltimore’s reporting.

In a letter to parents on April 7th, the principal acknowledged meeting with “several other sets of families” and providing their information to authorities, Project Baltimore noted. Counseling services and additional support have been made available to students.

While limited details can be provided due to the ongoing investigation, the allegations from the investigation by Fox45 Project Baltimore have understandably caused distress among parents and the community. Authorities are urging any other potential victims or witnesses to come forward.