WEST ISLIP, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — A suspended Long Island high school teacher is facing criminal charges, including rape, for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a student nearly a decade ago.
Suffolk County Police on Thursday arrested Babylon High School teacher and coach Timothy Harrison during a traffic stop on the Robert Moses Causeway at Route 27A in West Islip.
The arrest comes months after administrators from the Babylon Union Free School District contacted the police department regarding allegations of misconduct involving district staff.
During an investigation by Special Victims Section detectives, a woman came forward last November and reported she had a sexual relationship with teacher Harrison between September 2013 and November 2013 when she was 15 years old and he was 38 years old.
"The rape occurred off school grounds, however, the victim indicated there was inappropriate physical contact while at the school," said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison — no relation. "In addition to being a teacher and coach at Babylon High School, our perpetrator was a girls lacrosse coach at Legacy Lacrosse for under 13 girls up to November 2021."
Harrison, who is now 46, is now charged with two counts of rape in the third degree and one count for criminal sexual act the third degree.
"We hope this arrest brings the victim some sense of peace and that she knows that her voice was heard," the police commissioner said.
Many other woman have come forward claiming they were also abused by teachers and coaches at the school, but this is the first arrest.
Harrison has been suspended from the high school since November 2021 when the police investigation began.
"Upon first learning of this alleged inappropriate behavior in November 2021, the District acted immediately by removing the individual from his classroom, reassigning him to his residence, removing all privileges, and immediately notifying law enforcement authorities," schools superintendent Linda Rozzi said. "The District also commenced its own internal investigation with regard to the allegations against this individual."
Rozzi added, "These allegations are extremely disturbing, and our thoughts are with the victim. The District and Board of Education have zero tolerance towards such heinous acts and take all claims of this nature very seriously. We will continue to make the safety and well-being of our students and staff our top priority."
Anyone who believes they may be a victim of Harrison is asked to call Special Victims Section detectives at 631-852-8791.
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