DELAWARE, Ohio – Three more children have come forward to accuse their former teacher of sexually assaulting them in his classroom, bringing the total number of accusers to eight.
READ MORE: In the Columbus Dispatch
The revelation came during the arraignment of Matthew Rausenberg in Delaware County Common Pleas Court yesterday. The former elementary Olentangy school district teacher, who resigned last week, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually assaulted at least five of his students at Arrowhead Elementary since 2006.The plea sets up a jury trial scheduled to begin June 2.
Until his arrest, Rausenberg was a popular third-grade teacher at Arrowhead Elementary School in Lewis Center. He resigned after his arrest.
The case came to light after a teenager reported that Rausenberg previously had molested her.
Rausenberg’s attorney, Richard Mayhall, declined to comment Monday.
New tips over the weekend led the Delaware County sheriff’s office to the three new accusers. Rausenberg has not been criminally charged in those cases.
Rausenberg, 39, appeared before Judge David Gormley, who continued his $1 million bond set earlier in Delaware County Municipal Court, but with the stipulation that he could be released only if he produces the entire $1 million in assets as collateral.
A Delaware County grand jury issued a 32-count indictment on Thursday, with charges including gross sexual imposition, kidnapping and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor.
Since the felony offenses occurred on school property and the victims were younger than 13, each carries harsher penalties. If run consecutively, that means a potential life sentence, said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien.
She had asked for the high bond also because Rausenberg may have suicidal tendencies.
“There were comments made to deputies that he may harm himself.”
Jail officials said that Rausenberg is not on suicide watch.