School worker accused of sex abusing 13-year-old student

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A behavioral assistant at Maryland school is accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old student who had been living with him.

The Capital reports 38-year-old Mark Thoms surrendered to police Tuesday on charges including sexual abuse of a minor. The Anne Arundel County Public Schools district says they’ll be taking action against Thoms’ employment.

Charging documents say the student’s father spoke to Thoms in November about his son. They say Thoms offered to let the student move into his apartment. The boy changed schools as part of the move. After five months, the students told his father that Thoms was assaulting him. They say Thoms threatened to not be friends with the student if he reported the abuse.

The newspaper says Thoms’ attorney didn’t respond to a request for comment.

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Information from: The Capital, http://www.capitalgazette.com/