Former Wheatland-Chili substitute teacher accused of inappropriately touching 3 students

Scottsville, N.Y. — A former substitute teacher in the Wheatland-Chili Central School District faces charges after he allegedly touched three elementary students inappropriately.

The district notified the Monroe County Sheriff's Office on March 3, 2023 that Robert Petit may have touched the students, who reported being touched inappropriately outside of clothing by Petit on four separate occasions during the school day.

Police submitted the case to the Monroe County District Attorney's Office two weeks later for presentation to a grand jury.

An indictment unsealed Wednesday charged Petit, 40, of Chili, with 11 counts of sexual abuse and six counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

In a statement, the sheriff's office noted the delay of more than a year in informing the community about the alleged crimes.

The sheriff acknowledges that the delay of over twelve months in this process of notifying the public is unacceptable. We have created a tracking mechanism so that we can follow through with our public safety partners so that an announcement can be made as soon as legally possible.

Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley issued a statement explaining the delay.

Child sexual abuse cases are challenging in many ways. Because of the dynamics of child sexual abuse, they are not quick investigations or prosecutions. Our office uses the child first method of handling all cases, ensuring that we put the victims first. It is not our policy to rush or push a victim of child sexual abuse into testifying before they are ready both emotionally and mentally. The next court date for Robert Petit is August 15, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. before Supreme Court Justice Judith A. Sinclair.

In a statement to 13WHAM, a Wheatland-Chili spokesperson said Petit worked as a substitute teacher for 11 days during the 2022-23 school year and was relieved of his duties when the district learned of the allegations.

The district will cooperate with any further investigation and proceedings in this matter to the fullest extent possible. Our primary concern is always for the health, safety and well-being of our students.

After arraignment, Petit was taken to Monroe County Jail on $500,000 bail.

Anyone with further information about Petit is asked to call 911.