PHILADELPHIA - Police say they have arrested and charged a Philadelphia school teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student.
According to police, Larry Perry, 51, has been charged with institutional sexual assault, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with a minor and sexual abuse of children. Police say the victim reported that on numerous occasions, Perry would drive the victim to his home located in the Willow Grove section of Abington Township and have sexual intercourse with her.
Investigators say the victim, now in her 20s, told police she was sexually assaulted by her teacher while she attended Parkway Center City High School in Philadelphia. According to police, she says that the relationship began when she was his 13-year-old student. They also say Perry would send her flirtatious emails, text messages and touched her inappropriately. When the victim turned 15, the relationship turned sexual, investigators say.
Perry allegedly provided the girl with a pre-paid cellular phone during her junior and senior years of high school so that he could communicate discretely with her. He is also accused of asking the minor victim to send him nude photographs.
Police say the relationship was ongoing until a couple of years ago when she broke it off and came forward in July to report it
A spokesperson for the School District of Philadelphia released the following statement:
"The health and safety of our students is our highest priority, and all School District of Philadelphia employees are expected to adhere to District policy so that students are protected and supported. A District employee was arrested off school property, and the District is fully cooperating with authorities. The employee is no longer allowed on school property as the investigation progresses."
Perry failed to post $100,000 cash bail. He is being held at Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Jeff Anderson at 267-536-1102 or janderson@abington.org.