Suffolk man indicted on charges he sexually abused 3 middle school students in Harlem school, prosecutors say

A Suffolk man who worked at a Harlem middle school has been indicted on charges he sexually abused three students over roughly two years, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Saneel Boodram, 48, allegedly abused the children between September 2022 and December 2024, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Boodram, who worked as a paraprofessional at the Central Harlem public school, is accused of making lewd remarks and having sexual contact with one girl several times over the span of two years, prosecutors said in a Wednesday news release. She was 11 when the abuse started, they said. 

Boodram is also accused of having sexual contact with a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old, prosecutors said. He ais also accused of sending the 13-year-old girl a shirtless photo via text and inviting "her over to his house to use his pool." according to the news release.

Boodram was charged with first- and second-degree sexual abuse, second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors did not say where Boodram resided in Suffolk County.

A lawyer for Boodram did not respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for the city's education department said in a statement: "The alleged behavior is absolutely unacceptable, and the safety of our students is our top priority. This individual was removed from our schools as soon as we were made aware."

Prosecutors asked parents to reach out their office if they believe their child had been abused by Boodram.

By Tiffany Cusaac-Smith

tiffany.cusaac-smith@newsday.com@T_Cusaac

Tiffany Cusaac-Smith is a general assignment reporter for Newsday. She previously worked at USA TODAY and is an alum of Howard University.