A 22-year-old basketball coach named Channing Parker has been charged with sexually assaulting two 8-year-old girls at an Upper West Side private school. The second girl from the IDEAL School on West 91st Street came forward after Parker was charged with assaulting the first, according to DA Cyrus Vance’s office.
“On March 10, 2017, at approximately 2:00 pm, Parker was coaching students in the IDEAL school’s gym. During that time, he took an 8-year-old girl into a single-occupancy bathroom and sexually assaulted her. The child told her mother about the incident, her mother reported it to the school, and then the school reported it to police. The defendant was arrested the following day.
Following the defendant’s arrest, the IDEAL school notified parents about the incident. The next day, another 8-year-old student disclosed that on March 8, 2017, Parker took her into the same single-occupancy bathroom and sexually assaulted her.”
Parker was charged with Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, Criminal Sexual Act and Sexual Abuse, both in the First Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child He worked for a nonprofit called Kids Creative that works with several schools. A spokesperson for Kids Creative sent the following response to questions about how the program was responding and whether if Parker had passed a background check.
“Kids Creative is deeply troubled by the recent allegations against one of our employees at The IDEAL School of Manhattan. Kids Creative has terminated the employee for violating our rules and procedures and we are cooperating fully with law enforcement. Kids Creative conducts rigorous background checks on all employees. Kids Creative has not experienced any allegations of this nature against our employees in our 17-year history. We will continue to support The IDEAL School of Manhattan and its community throughout the criminal investigation. The health and safety of our students is our top priority.”
The IDEAL school ended its relationship with Kids Creative following the arrest. The school did not respond to a request for further comment.
Parker’s lawyer did not respond to a request for comment. The DA’s office is looking for any other potential victims.
“We want to make sure that any other potential victims are promptly identified and matched with the resources and help they need so that they do not bear this burden alone. For parents of children who may have had contact with this defendant, I urge you to contact my Office’s Child Abuse Unit by calling (212) 335-4308. Help and counseling are available.”
A bus driver taking a child to the IDEAL school was charged with assaulting a six-year-old last week. He was also working for an outside contractor, not the school itself.
These sick perverts need to be executed!
Not so Ideal,,
That’s awful for the victims. And too bad for Kids Creative. Our child has taken a few classes with them and they are otherwise a great organization, fun and inspiring for the kida.
I want to see the face of Channing Parker. He has to be shamed before going to jail.
I would like to see his face too. Shame him.
To those calling for shaming and execution of the named alleged perpetrator:
Do you believe in due process?
If yes, then are you privy to some info that the general public is not– info that would prove this individual’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt? (If you are privy to such info, then you ought to share it with the appropriate authorities.)
If no, then shouldn’t you at least wait to see if the individual is convicted first?