Cohasset teacher charged with indecently assaulting teenage girl in class

COHASSET, Mass. — A Cohasset Middle School teacher was charged Thursday with indecently assaulting a female minor student at the school, according to Cohasset Police.

Jeffrey E. Knight, 57, of Pembroke, was charged in a criminal complaint with two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over. All of the charges are connected to the same victim.

The criminal complaint alleged Knight, intentionally and without justification, indecently touched a female minor student during class in 2017 and 2018.

“The charges come as a result of an investigation by the Cohasset Police Department, initiated after a student came forward,” Cohasset Superintendent of Schools Louise Demas said in a statement.

Parents told Boston 25 News they received an email from Demas on May 18, notifying them of the investigation.

“I received a report concerning an incident between an employee and student in the Middle School that we considered needing further investigation,” the email read, in part.

Demas said Knight has been on administrative leave since the start of the investigation. He has been a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) teacher at Cohasset Middle School since August 2011.

The first day of school in Cohasset is September 4. Counselors will be on hand at both the middle and high schools to start the school year.

“I am disturbed and deeply troubled by these allegations,” Demas said. “I understand that families, students, faculty, and staff alike will no doubt have questions. Due to legal limitations, I cannot discuss the allegations further.”

Knight is scheduled to be arraigned on September 19 at Quincy District Court.

Anyone who has information regarding this case should call Cohasset Police detectives at 781-383-1055, ext. 6107 or email info@cohassetpolice.com.

Full statement from Cohasset Superintendent of Schools Louise Demas:

"I have been informed that a criminal complaint was issued today against a Cohasset Middle School teacher concerning disturbing allegations of inappropriate conduct toward a student.

"Jeffrey Knight, who has been employed at Cohasset Middle School as STEM teacher since August 2011, has been charged with indecent assault and battery on a minor. The charges come as a result of an investigation by the Cohasset Police Department, initiated after a student came forward. My office has cooperated fully with that investigation, and Knight has been on administrative leave since the start of that investigation.

"We are monitoring the court case closely, and Knight's employment status is under review. As is the case with all personnel matters, we cannot be more specific at this time.

"I am disturbed and deeply troubled by these allegations. I understand that families, students, faculty, and staff alike will no doubt have questions. Due to legal limitations, I cannot discuss the allegations further. Additional information will likely come from the relevant law enforcement organizations.

"I will be opening a dialog with faculty, staff, and administrators over the next several weeks. Any employee or member of the community is welcome to contact my office anytime with questions, thoughts, or concerns. I encourage families to have an open and honest dialog with their children.

"We will have counselors available at both the Middle and High Schools to start the school year. Anyone who has questions, concerns, or just needs to talk to someone will be encouraged to use these private and helpful resources."

"We support the student's decision to come forward, and it is our hope that other members of our school community would feel comfortable in doing so if they determine something is not right. In such cases we will work with law enforcement to determine the appropriate course of action."

Cox Media Group