NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) — A now-former elementary school teacher in New Britain faces is accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old female student.

Erving Rivera, 50, resigned from his position as a special education teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in the Consolidated School District of New Britain on March 22. He was arrested on April 4.

According to Superintendent Tony Gasper, Lincoln School officials were notified on Feb. 8 of “potential inappropriate behavior” by Rivera. Gasper said Rivera was immediately removed from the school and placed on administrative leave that day.

“The behavior of which Mr. Rivera is accused is morally reprehensible and a stain on the noble
profession of public education,” Gasper said.

The superintendent said the New Britain Police Department and the Connecticut State Department of Children and Families were immediately notified.

Erving Rivera (New Britain Police Department)

According to the arrest warrant obtained by News 8, Rivera spent time alone with the 10-year-old victim and touched her in intimate areas.

The victim was “so disturbed by what Erving Rivera was doing to her that she kept a log book of the amounts of times Erving Rivera touched her private areas,” the arrest warrant stated.

Rivera repeatedly told investigators that he only ever hugged students.

Gasper said that the district has been working with individual students and their families to offer support services to those in need. The superintendents said all students who may have been a concern have already been contacted.

The district verified that all legally required background checks on Rivera were completed before his initial employment with the district in February 2020. According to the arrest warrant, Rivera transferred from New Britain High School to Lincoln Elementary School in January 2022.

Nate Moore, who has a child with special needs at Lincoln Elementary School, said that his child can’t communicate his wants and needs, which makes the accusations “hit harder” for him.

“It bothered me all day,” he said.

Any Lincoln School families with questions or concerns are urged to contact the school at (860) 229-2564.

Rivera is charged with sexual assault with a victim younger than 16 years old and illegal sexual contact with a victim younger than 16 years old. His bail is set at $100,000.