The mother of an 11-year-old who was molested by her social studies and homeroom teacher at Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy in East Flatbush hopes the ex-educator “rots in jail.”
Daniel Santiago, 29, pleaded not guilty on charges including sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child last month. He walked out of Brooklyn Criminal Court after posting a $75,000 bond.
The 6th grader’s mother, who asked to remain anonymous for the safety of her child, said she knew something was off when her daughter began sharing intimate aspects of Santiago’s personal life, such as his wife and children’s names.
“It was awkward for me, but he was her teacher,” the mother explained.
She believes Santiago began preying on and manipulating her daughter in the beginning of the school year, seating her next to a special needs child who required extra attention.
“My daughter said he touched her almost every day, every chance he got. He pushed her away from other kids so he could abuse her.”
The mother later learned Santiago was texting the middle-schooler explicit photos outside of school, and asking she return the favor.
“He would text her like he was a kid, as if they were in the same age group. He said he was counting down until she was 18 to have sex with her.”
According to the woman, the situation escalated to stalking and relatives noticed Santiago on the family’s block. The 6th grader explained Santiago was her teacher and pleaded with relatives to brush it off.
The student’s classmates witnessed Santiago molesting the girl in her homeroom and rumors circulated around school. The principal at Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy called her in April alerting her of the rumor.
“He kept telling her to cover it up, keep to the plan, say it was just a rumor. They started teasing her. It was humiliating.”
The mom sets to make an example of Santiago in the hopes this does not happen to other children. She is suing the Department of Education for $26 million for damages.
The woman’s attorney, Sanford Rubenstein, said a notice of claim was filed against the Department of Education Wednesday.
“The criminal prosecution of this defendant will take place before a civil action for damages for this young victim proceeds to court.”
