Chelmsford Public School Employee Arraigned For Alleged Sexual Assault

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that an employee of the Chelmsford Public Schools has been arraigned in connection with an alleged sexual assault.

Christopher Holt, 60, of Lowell, was arraigned in Lowell District Court on a charge of indecent assault and battery on a person under the age of 14.

Judge Stacey Fortes set bail at $10,000 cash with the conditions to include that the defendant have no contact with the victim in this case, that the defendant have no contact with the family members of the victim or with potential witnesses, that the defendant not work or volunteer in a capacity where he would be with children under the age of 16, that he stay away from Chelmsford school properties, surrender his passport, comply with GPS monitoring, and that the defendant have no unsupervised contact with any children under the age of 16. The next scheduled court date for Holt is on February 20.

“This case contains allegations which are unsettling,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Adults who work in school settings are chosen for their sincere dedication to helping young people. In the instances when allegations are made that a school employee may have breached that trust it is very disturbing. As caring adults, we must continue to talk to our children about various scenarios they may encounter when we aren’t around so that if something disturbing does happen to them, they will let us know and the incident can be investigated.”

Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney added, “These are disturbing allegations against an individual who had been entrusted with the care and wellbeing of children. I acknowledge and applaud the efforts of Superintendent, Dr. Frank Tiano, and the rest of the administration of the Chelmsford Public Schools for their quick action on this case and cooperation throughout the investigation. We will continue to work with school officials, our state partners, and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan as this case moves forward. In addition, I would like to acknowledge the bravery of the alleged victim in this case and encourage all parents to take this opportunity to have discussions with their children about proper and improper touching and to report any behavior which the child has experienced and which has made the child feel uncomfortable.”

The charges are allegations and the defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Chelmsford Police Department.

The Assistant District Attorney assigned to this case is Anne Paruti.