Sex Ed Teacher Charged With Raping 14-Year-Old Student

A sex ed teacher at a Massachusetts high school has been charged with raping a 14-year-old student.

Rachelle Gendron, who taught sexual education and health at North Central Charter Essential School in Fitchburg, was fired following an investigation in which police found significant evidence of inappropriate conduct with the student. This included text messages with photos of the 27-year-old “in various states of undress with genitals and breasts exposed” on the male student’s cellphone.

Gendron was arraigned in Worcester Superior Court on charges including five counts of rape aggravated by age difference Friday. She is accused of having sex with the victim three times in October 2012, once in January 2013, and once more in March. She is also accused of enticing the victim. She pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against her. Each charge carries a state-mandated sentence of 10 years.

Gendron was released on $2,000 bail. Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Riddle had requested $5,000 bail, and defense attorney Andrea Levy had asked for no pail on the promise that Gendron return for her next court date on October 10. She has since been fired from North Central Charter, where she worked for five years.

“As a result of the investigation, she is no longer working there,” Riddle said.

Rachelle Gendron is not allowed to have any contact with the victim or any other children under 16. She must also abide by a harassment order issued in Fitchburg District Court. Principal Stephanie Davolos said the victim is no longer enrolled at the school. The school said in a statement that it took “appropriate action consistent with the best interest of our students, which included swiftly terminating the individual and fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities investigating this matter.”

A courtroom clerk said Gendron has no prior criminal record. Her father declined to comment on the charges.