Yearbook photo
Matthew Brian Berresford
Matthew Brian Berresford
Originally published March 18, 2010
By Kate Leckie
News-Post Staff
Former kindergarten teacher faces charges of sex abuse
Bill Baisey Kia
A former Frederick County kindergarten teacher is accused of the sexual abuse of a minor throughout the 2008-09 school year, authorities confirmed Wednesday evening.
Matthew Brian Berresford, 31, of East Berlin, Pa., faces charges of the sex abuse of a minor and a continuing course of conduct involving the sex abuse of a minor, according to Circuit Court documents made available Wednesday.
State's Attorney Charlie Smith said Berresford was indicted by a grand jury Friday for actions alleged to have occurred on the grounds of an elementary school.
"That's all I can say at this moment," Smith said.
Marita Loose, spokeswoman for the county public schools, said Berresford had been employed as a kindergarten teacher at North Frederick Elementary School.
"Last summer, after the investigation took place, he did not return to school," Loose said Wednesday. "He is no longer employed by FCPS."
Court documents reveal that instances of sex abuse are alleged to have occurred between Aug. 25, 2008, and June 16, 2009.
No defense attorney is listed on court documents. Berresford could not be reached for comment.
Berresford is scheduled for an initial appearance in Circuit Court on May 7.
Assistant State's Attorney Tammy M. Leache, who presented evidence in the case to the grand jury Friday, was also unavailable for comment.
Frederick Police Department Lt. Shawn Martyak said Detective Mark Pecor investigated the case in conjunction with county Child Protective Services.
