MORRISTOWN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – A middle school principal is under arrest after he allegedly attempted to lure a 16-year-old former student.
According to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, 52-year-old Paul Iantosca has been charged with luring, attempted sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Iantosca works as the principal at the Valleyview Middle School in Denville.
“When I found out about it I screamed. I screamed,” one parent told CBS2’s Scott Rapoport. “I was, like, devastated. I was like ‘Mr. I, is this true?'”
Parents at the school were appalled and saddened. There was tension, frayed nerves and uncertainty on the school grounds as concerned parents came to pick up their children Friday under the watchful eye of police officers on the scene, Rapoport reported.
He has been charged and is currently being held in the Morris Correctional Facility.
Denville Board of Education released a statement on Iantosca, saying “this did not occur on school grounds and did not involve any students who currently attend Denville Township pre-K to 8 schools.”
Iantosca has been suspended, is not permitted on school grounds or to have contact with any staff or students, school officials told Rapoport.
Rapoport spoke with a woman at Iantosca’s home who said she’s his ex-wife. She said they have three children together and she is aware of the charges against him.
“I have no reaction right now,” she said. “Obviously I’m concerned about my daughters, and that’s it.”
Anyone with additional information to report related to the case is asked to call authorities at (973) 285-6213 or (973) 627-4900.
