Teacher from LI charged in teen's rape

A Queens intermediate school teacher living in East Islip was arrested Thursday and charged with the statutory rape of a 13-year-old pupil at the school during 2009 and 2010, authorities said.

Charles Oross, 44, of Jefferson Street, an eighth grade teacher at I.S. 238, the Susan B. Anthony School, was charged with second-degree rape, third-degree rape, second-degree criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child.

"This case is particularly disturbing because the defendant is a teacher and schools should be safe havens for children," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.

No attorney representing Oross could be reached for comment Thursday night. Attempts to reach Oross' home by telephone were unsuccessful.

The sexual encounters took place between Oross and his history class student on several occasions, authorities said, in a school classroom and in Oross' own vehicle beginning in January 2009 when she was still 13 years old and continuing until April 2010.

If convicted of the charges, Oross would face up to 4 years in prison, Brown said.

A city education department official said steps are under way to have Oross fired.