Genesee County Teacher Accused of Sexually Assaulting a Sixth-Grade Student

A former Genesee County teacher is sitting in the Genesee County Jail while facing five felony criminal sexual conduct charges involving a former sixth-grade student.

According to MLive, 48-year-old Matthew Chapin of Otisville is charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Prosecutors allege the crimes happened more than a decade ago while Chapin was teaching at LakeVille Community Schools.

Former LakeVille Student Testifies About Alleged Sexual Abuse

The alleged victim did not immediately report what happened. During court testimony, she said she felt embarrassed and ashamed and kept the allegations to herself for years. After later confiding in her aunt and a counselor, she eventually decided to contact police.

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During a preliminary examination last month, the former student testified that she was struggling in Chapin's science class when he offered to tutor her privately.
According to her testimony, the alleged abuse began during those tutoring sessions and escalated over time. The woman, who is not being identified publicly, said the alleged incidents occurred when she was a sixth-grader. She said during her testimony:

At first, it started small like just touching ... and in private during the tutoring it would progress to more sexual touching. Progressively, as time went on, he would ask me to remove clothes.

Charges Stem From Incidents Reportedly A Decade Ago

Court records show Chapin is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a child under the age of 13. The allegations were investigated by Michigan State Police before the case was bound over to Genesee Circuit Court.

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Chapin remains in custody at the Genesee County Jail. Judge Elizabeth A. Kelly set bond at $100,000 for each of the five charges.

LakeVille Schools Responds To Allegations of Sexual Assault

LakeVille Community Schools Superintendent James Yake said Chapin has not worked for the district in more than 10 years. Yake said in a statement:

We recognize that news of this nature can be distressing for our students, families, staff, and community members. Any allegation involving the safety and well-being of a student is taken extremely seriously, and we understand the concern this may create.

Yake added that the district is prepared to cooperate with law enforcement but is limited in what it can publicly discuss because the case remains active. Chapin is scheduled to stand trial in Genesee Circuit Court on Sept. 15.