A former Laurel School teacher has been indicted for rape of a middle school student, according to court documents.
Mark A. Newton, who served as a middle school teacher and coach for Laurel School from 2007 to 2013, was indicted Monday by the Cuyahoga County grand jury in connection with two sexual assaults of a middle school student during the 2012-2013 school year.
The indictment shows Newton was charged with two counts each of rape, gross sexual imposition, kidnapping and sexual battery. Click here to view the full indictment or see below.
A statement from Laurel School Headmistress Ann V. Klotz said:
We are deeply saddened and disturbed by this matter. Our hearts are with our former student and her family as well as the entire Laurel community as we work to provide support to our students. Our commitment to the safety of each and every Laurel student continues to be our paramount concern and we will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities.
Laurel School, a private girls school in Shaker Heights, learned about Newton's sexual conduct allegation in fall 2014 and notified Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services. The school also hired an attorney to conduct an independent investigation.
