New charges filed against Severna Park Elementary teacher accused of child sex abuse

Hunt Valley, Md (WBFF) — An Anne Arundel County elementary school teacher accused of sexually abusing multiple students is now facing even more charges.

Matthew Schlegel, who taught third grade at Severna Park Elementary, has been indicted on 55 charges in total. Twenty of those are felonies.

Schlegel was arrested at his Severna Park home last month. At the time, he was charged with 36 counts related to inappropriately touching eight students.

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While the number of alleged victims remains the same, Schlegel now faces more charges, including 11 counts of child sex abuse.

The charges against Schlegel confirm much of what Project Baltimore first reported in April.

According to court records, he’s accused of inappropriately touching students beginning in August of 2022 up until March 2024, when police say the first allegation was reported and he was removed from the classroom. According to charging documents, much of the alleged abuse occurred in class during the school day.

Schlegel is currently being held without bail while he awaits trial. He’s been denied release on two separate occasions.

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At the most recent court hearing last month, his attorney argued Schlegel is not a flight risk and should be placed on house arrest or allowed to stay with his parents in Rockville. About 30 people attended the hearing in support of Schlegel, including his wife, parents, in-laws, sister and former students.

The other side of the courtroom was packed with family and friends of the alleged victims, as prosecutors described Schlegel as “crafty” and “skilled at grooming children.” Assistant State’s Attorney, Anastasia Prigge, explained to the court how Schlegel gave his students candy and used his “beloved” status as a teacher to prey upon children.

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In denying Schlegel’s request for bail, the judge said the "statement of facts, if true, are heinous". The judge expressed additional concern for the mental health of the eight alleged victims if Schlegel were to be released.

Schlegel has been teaching in Anne Arundel County Public Schools since 2008. He spent his first eight years at Tyler Heights Elementary in Annapolis, where he taught second grade.

He is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on June 17.