News

October 15, 2008

Teacher cleared of abuse charges

Prosecutor says accusing teens fabricated allegations; now they could face charges.

By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – A former special-education teacher accused of abusing three young students has been cleared of all charges after prosecutors said the three teens lied about the abuse.

Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Jenny Roberts on Tuesday said that during an interview with one of the teenagers on Friday in preparation for the teacher’s trial, the teen said he made up parts of his story.

Angela M. Kairo-Scibek’s trial on the charges was to have begun on Tuesday.

“(The 14-year-old) admitted to us that he had fabricated some of the allegations against the defendant,” Roberts said. “The others (two 13-year-olds) also admitted to fabricating allegations.”

The teens could now face charges after lying about the incidents.

All charges against Kairo-Scibek, 41, of Templeton Lane, Plymouth, including six counts of simple assault and three counts of endangering the welfare of children, were dismissed.

Roberts said it will be determined if charges will be filed against the teens.

Kairo-Scibek, a special-education teacher for the Wyoming Valley West School District, was accused of abusing the three students with a wooden object during the 2005-06 school year. At the time, the students were in fifth grade.

During testimony made at a preliminary hearing in February, the students said Kairo-Scibek shoved the student’s faces into a pillow and struck them with a wooden ruler.

Kairo-Scibek’s attorney, Frank Nocito, said he noticed several inconsistencies with the testimony made by the teens and was prepared to go to trial.

“We’re pleased that the charges were dismissed,” Nocito said. “Angela has always denied the charges, and I’ve promised to vigorously defend the case. A trial would have brought those inconsistencies to the jury’s attention.”

Nocito said he believed the teens worked together to come up with their story, and did it to get back at Kairo-Scibek.

Kairo-Scibek said she’s glad the charges have been dropped and can hopefully get on with her life.

“A lot of people are going to learn some lessons (from this),” she said. “I know I have. I’m thankful to everyone who has been there with me the last 16 months.”

Kairo-Scibek said she’d like to go back to working as a special-education teacher, adding “it’s going to be difficult going back with people always looking over my shoulder.”

The school board suspended Kairo-Scibek with pay in March, but the board changed it to a suspension without pay after she was charged by Plymouth police officer Ryan Williams in December.

District Superintendent Michael Garzella said the school board and the solicitor would determine if Kairo-Scibek is eligible for pay for the period she was suspended without pay.

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