Im sorry but I know him personally and this has to be a mistake or a lie. The truth will come out . . .

In before the usual suspects start in about skyrocketing crime rates and the need to stop & frisk.

Well I guess you didn't know him to well, because you would've known he was a baby toucher

The truth will come out? That's exactly what supporters of the last West Orange teacher that was charged with sex abuse.

This is very sad for those involved and the grief that all, including the accused and his family, will be affected by.

At the same time this is extremely troubling that this is the second case in less than a year of a sexual predator preying upon the cchildren of the West Orange School system. Perhaps if certain board of education members weren't so busy planning their power grabs they would have immediately institued a plan for renewal of all background checks, additional training on the subject for all BOE employees, etc. But it appears a title like President and Vice President is more important to some than the safety and welfare of our children.

Hey Chris,
Hopefully the courts will get it right. If he is guilty then he will pay the crime. If not, he will pay for a crime he did not commit. His career is over regardless. Lets hope the child was not abused and if not ,have some sympathy for the teacher.

I know Chris. I donot believe these charges!

If I am wrong than so be it, all I know is that my family knew him well. It is really hard to believe something like this when it hits so close to home and you actually speak to the person, and they know your children.
I agree, It is very sad for everyone involved, and I hope things will work out not only for the family involved, but for Mr. Yonitch but for as well.

It's hard to believe if you know Mr. Yonitch... let's hope this gets resolved for both him and the family.

I agree with Heather!

Thanks Joel this whole thing is so disturbing, in the end everyone loses even if he is proven not guilty.

Speaking of the wild and irresponsible promoting agendas. As I understand it, background checks are mandatory for education professionals.

http://www.nj.gov/education/genfo/faq/faq_crimhist.htm

If they have no arrest history or criminal complaints indicating there should be a concern, what exactly would an additional background check reveal? Are you suggesting that some sort of supplementary comprehensive background check be done that would include in depth interviews of family, friends and neighbors, akin to that of high level government security clearances? Newsflash, even that wouldn't necessarily identify a potential child predator in all instances. At whose expense should these more in depth inquiries be conducted? As for training, I seriously doubt that there isn't already state mandated in service training on the subject. If I'm wrong, I stand corrected and would ask that you demonstrate otherwise. So other than the absurdly transparent politically motivated disdain for the Board, what's left? Oh and by the way, since no one has been convicted of anything at this point, they would be alleged child predators. It is just as much a concern that ideologues and preying on the fears of taxpayers with misinformation and irresponsible rhetoric.

Again I agree with you, Heather!

I know him for 3 years and he is breat teacher he was my sons teacher and i thought he was great all his students loved him he was always involved. I dont believe the lies they are telling is sad that when you have a teacher that cares about the students they ruin hjs reputatjon lkke my son is very sad about the news wish him the best and hope thetruth comes out.

I personally know him and his family and have for a long time, and I myself don't believe that Chris could or would do something like this, however let us all remember that we live in a country that believes in innocence until a person is proven guilty. Everyone needs to try to be a little slower to judge and try to keep in mind that that cyber bullying isn't just for children.

I 'm a mother like another woman the most important is keep our kids emotionaly healthy is our responsability in all areas . the kids are the future in our lives parents talk everyday with your child every day something happen new in their life keep safe phisically and emotional. I pray for him and I HOPE THAT TRUE IS COMING SOON

Comfortably numb I am sorry because this is a very sad situation for all involved. I know Mr. Yonitch personally and it is very upsetting to hear something like this, and it is very hard to believe if you know him.

He was my daughter's teacher a couple of years ago. He was her favorite teacher. She would stay after school so he could help her if she needed it. Nothing bad ever happened and he's a wonderful teacher who cares about his students. I smell something fishy with these accusations against him. The truth will come out. Have faith Mr. Yonitch!

Yeah Sheila I. Feel the same way my son was so upset and so were his friends cause he is. A very good and caring teacher my other son is in fourth grade and I was looking fwd for him to have Mr. Yonitch. I hope all gets resolved and I know it might be all false accusation. Cause. What I know he had call dyfes on d little girls family for neglect and then he got accused for molesting the little girl to me is a false accusation wish him the best!

So, to recap: What have we learned, from all of this?

So because he cared enough about a child to call Dyfs he lost everything, even if he is found not guilty. This whole thing has me and my kids sick. My daughter was in his class a few years ago and she said he was her favorite teacher, she even goes back to the school just to visit his class. Again the truth will come out, we are here for you!!

The one great thing about tis story is: It did not happen in Newark.

Yo no creo lo que esta pasando.mi hija estudia en la washinton school y yo siempre vi a mister yonitch como una persona muy dedicado a sus estudiantes y sin nada de maldad en sus ojos y accionnes

Espero que todo esto sea una mentira por la nina y el profesor.

I agree... if you know Chris, there's an explanation for this, and it's not pedophilia.

My son is very sad for Mr. Yonitch. He is a great teacher. He cares about his students. Is hard to believe that accusations. We are praying for both families.

Good people do bad things. We all know the one about 'blah, blah, blah, cast the first stone! To dismiss a child, a potential victim of such horrible crime, with out waiting for the outcome of the investigation is incomprehensible. Fortunately, there is a state child protective agency that investigates such ALLEGATIONS. The problem here is the media who omit the word allegedly/alleged from their stories, as well as judgmental adults too quick to accused the probable victim of lieing, which is why victims so often fail to report! Why are suspects tried in the media? By the same token a responsible adult, not so invested in an adult male teacher, might comment, I believe this man will be vindicated rather than to call a vulnerable child a liar! Especially an adult parent, less is expected from a parent in his/her teens. And to Gloria R, How do you know the victim is a niña/girl and not a niño/boy? What we should esperar/wait for es justicia/justice!

I heard about DYFES from someone in the. School that works there and when I heard abt it that's when I knew that it. Must be a lie! I just feel bad cause even if he is cleared from all of this his life will never be. The same! Is. So sad for someone to ruin someones. Life again! Hope he's doing well wish him the best off luck!

There is no DYFS, the new name is the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Regardless of the name; What should we do when a child alleges to have had an appropriate interaction with a teacher, member of the clergy or any adult? Pool the adults who superficially know the teacher/clergy/dog catcher (nobody really knows someone) and determine how to proceed or not proceed. After all, individuals can just feel it in their bones when something is awry. Quite possibly, this might end false convictions in the future's. In the interim, for some ADULTS, vilifying the alleged victim is fine.

I read that the child made up the story

I don't care what ignorant people have to say! I know he is a very nice guy! All the kids I spoke too about the situation they don't believe it!

Mary

I have a chlid in his class and he was always a caring teacher, one of the best teachers in washington. What is most upsetting as parents is that a good teacher has been taken away from our kids based on allegations made by a troubled kid, and yes I also do know the family in question and it was obvious since a couple of years back that this child needed help everyone in that school knows what the truth is but are not allowed to say anything. I just hope that when the truth comes out the child will get the help that she really needs and before you start accusing an innocent man you first have to know the whole story, all of the kids in his class know the truth maybe the authorities should start by asking them and they will get a clearer picture of this whole mess

Mary People saying that Mr. Yonitch is a great teacher is a fine and noble gesture,but it has nothing to do with what he's charged with. Also, accusing the accuser before all the facts are in doesn't help Mr. Yonitch's situation one bit. Mr. Yonitch is innocent until and if he's proven guilty. And I strongly disagree with people who write " Even if Mr. Yonitch is found innocent of all the charges, his career and reputation are ruined. " Not as far as I'm concerned. As far as I'm concerned, If it's proven in a court of law that he did nothing wrong, his career and reputation will remain intact. I would not object if my child were assigned to his class.Terms like "There is a presumption of innocence " and "innocent of all charges" must be more than vapid cliches,they must mean something. ANYONE can be falsely accused. Are there people who really believe it couldn't happen to them? Expressions like "Where there's smoke there's fire" or "The accused must have done SOMETHING ". are nothing more than baseless. banalities often employed by cynics..Mr. Yonitch is afforded a presumption of innocence. If he's found innocent by the courts on a Friday, Monday morning he should be standing at the front of his classroom..

Children from troubled families are exactly who pedophiles choose as victims, so let's not discount the allegations just because of the victim's background. It is also important for kids to know they will be believed when they tell an adult about molestation, so if this teacher's story comes up with your kids it is important to make it clear to them that you will believe them. Hopefully he did not do these things, and he is of course inncont until priven guilty, but if he did do them we should be glad that a) someone spoke up and b) nobody has covered anything up like at PennState.

This is one sicko, wow !!!

praying for this .teacher i believe that he will be proven innocent if he not guilty. THe school has camera everywhere, so it will not be difficult to prove.

I just found out about this...it is just a sad sad story....you can never foresee what goes on in the mind of a person...no one can predict the actions of anyone..but I hope this is not something he would have done in the midst of his mind being clouded with bad judgement......one mistake can be life changing....as teachers we must be careful of caring...never be alone with a student always be on guard and aware of the potential outcomes, leave doors open, others are present, involve others like the school social worker, principal, VP, family, community, use the whole village to protect ourselves and our children so that we avoid circumstances like this.

@Rocci Martin no im not his girlfriend, mistress, or lover. I am a parent of 5 children 2 of which he knows well. Everyone is entitled to their opnions, im sorry that you feel just because im defending him i must be sleeping with him. Cant believe that is the road you taking, but its fine really dont care what anyone thinks of me or my comments. I will continue to be on his side because I know this is a lie.