PERRY, Okla. (AP) - Ten girls who accused a former teaching assistant of inappropriately touching them at an Oklahoma elementary school have now testified in the case.
All but one of the girls faced former teaching assistant Arnold Cowen, 86, during a closed hearing on Monday, The Oklahoman (https://bit.ly/2qYmPqA ) reported.
Cowen is accused of inappropriately touching 10 girls ranging in age from 10 to 13 at Upper Elementary School in Perry. He is charged with 18 felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, two felony counts of lewd or indecent proposals and one felony count of possession of child pornography.
At the hearing, one of the girls who took the stand finished her testimony with a video screen blocking Cowen. Cameron Spradling, an attorney for six of the girls, said another girl with a medical condition had trouble breathing and received treatment during her testimony.
Spradling said he was “so proud of 10 brave little girls who were finally given the opportunity” to testify about what happened.
Kay County District Judge Lee Turner will now determine whether there’s enough evidence to send Cowen to trial.
Cowen and his attorney declined to speak with reporters after the hearing.
Upper Elementary Principal Kenda Miller and math teacher Jeffrey Sullins are also facing charges that accuse them of failing to promptly report accusations against Cowen. Miller told authorities she and Sullins determined complaints about Cowen to be false. Both face misdemeanor charges and have said they will resign effective June 30.
___
Information from: The Oklahoman, https://www.newsok.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.