SALEM, Mass. — A former gym teacher at a school in Salem has been indicted on charges in connection with the alleged indecent assaults of 10 young girls, authorities said.
Daniel Hakim, 36, of North Andover, was arraigned Thursday in Salem Superior Court on 32 counts of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under the age 14, according to the Essex District Attorney’s Office.
Hakim was first arrested in December 2021 after a student at the Saltonstall School informed her parents of improper conduct by Hakim in 2016, Salem police said. As that case had been making its way through the court system, Hakim has been free — released after arraignment on personal recognizance.
That complaint, however, had far-reaching effects — with nine more girls now coming forward with accusations of sexual assault and hugging.
“While most of the victims are unable to pinpoint exact dates, they report being in the first to third grade at the time of the indecent assaults,” a prosecutor said Thursday.
The allegations include inappropriate touching of children’s breasts, buttocks and genitalia, the prosecution said.
“In my professional background, I’m a social worker with 15 years expertise in domestic and sexual violence response,” said Elisabeth Nash Wrenn, a Saltonstall parent. “I’ve been aware of the case for a long time. Our children are ten years old now. This has been a long time coming.”
Nine more victims, all of whom were students at the school, came forward over the course of a months long investigation, police added.
Nash Wrenn said she would not be surprised to see more victims coming forward.
“He taught at schools before Saltonstall,” she said. “He has a long history of access to young children.”
Hakim was taken into custody Wednesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
The judge set Hakim’s bail at $200,000 — but it can’t be posted until a GPS has been fitted.
In a joint statement, Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller, and Superintendent of Salem Public Schools Dr. Stephen Zrike said, “As community leaders and, most importantly, as parents we are sickened by the abuse from a trusted adult that these children were subjected to and the ongoing pain and trauma these young survivors and their families are and will continue to face. The actions for which Daniel Hakim has been arrested and charged are abominations. We are grateful for and applaud the cooperation of the victims and their families, their patience with the detailed investigation, and, above all, their courage in coming forward.”
Resources for students and families who have been impacted by this incident will continue to be made available, school officials noted.
An investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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