May 20, 2009 8:27 pm US/Eastern
Rape Of Student Shocks Westchester High School
Parents Wonder Aloud If Budget Issues Delayed News Of Stunning Incident In Basement Of Hen Hud High
Claim Security Cutbacks Glaring; Students Nervous, Confused
By JOSH LANDIS, CBS 2 HD News
SOMERS, N.Y. (CBS) ―
It allegedly happened while hundreds of students were in class studying math or science. Police say a freshman student attacked another 15-year-old and raped her in a basement bathroom of a Westchester County high school.
CBS 2 HD went to the New York State Police barracks in Somers for answers.
Parents and students are stunned something like this could have happened on school property during school hours, but they're furious they weren't told about it sooner.
"It's shocking that something like this would go on and be held so long from parents and all of us in the community," Helene Goldberg said.
The community learned just Wednesday that a freshman boy was charged earlier this week with raping a freshman girl earlier this year.
The alleged attacker and victim shared a seventh-period class at Hendrick Hudson High School and it was in a basement bathroom where the rape allegedly occurred.
"He seemed like a calm kid. I wouldn't have expected something like that from him," student Mark Campea said of the suspect.
Parents CBS 2 HD spoke to said there have been cutbacks on security and they're suspicious about the timing of the school's announcement.
"There was a budget passed last night and it's making me think to myself did they not say anything because they wanted this budget passed?" parent Sonia Mannarino said.
Added student Justin Otero: "They have security guards in the building and each year they get less and less security. I'm just wondering how was he able to do this [and] nobody heard her. I don't understand."
The school district superintendant didn't address the cutbacks in a statement on Wednesday:
"Regardless of our precautions, we cannot always prevent the actions of those who choose to bring harm to others. We will continue to be vigilant to assure that our schools are safe places for both students and staff."
The lack of information is creating confusions. Students told CBS 2 HD the alleged attacker threatened the girl before the alleged incident and that no news has in a way been bad news.
"I don't feel safe or not. I don't know where he is. They really didn't tell us much information so I can't really say if I'm safe or not," student Lorena Rothberg said.
Prosecutors will decide whether to charge the 15-year-old suspect as an adult. He's due back in court on May 29 and could face five to 25 years in prison if convicted.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
World's Most Useless Facts
Click to enlarge
CPSC To Announce Massive Crib Recall 59 mins ago 
CBS 2 Preview: Back From The Dead 40 mins ago 
Holiday Dinners Often Serve Up Family Disputes 12 mins ago 
Stumble It!
Comments