Malden Teacher Accused of Sexually Assaulting Disabled Student

– Allison Goldsberry

A Malden man was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on Tuesday in connection with an alleged sexual assault of a disabled student, according to information released by Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and Malden Chief of Police Kevin Molis.

Steven MacDonald, 46, was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a disabled person and one count of assault with intent to rape.

“The defendant in this case was trusted to care for and assist the student that he allegedly sexually assaulted. Such allegations, if proven, violate the trust that parents and guardians place in their children’s educators,” said District Attorney Ryan. “The charges brought today are a result of the collaborative investigation conducted with the assistance of Malden High School and the Malden Police Department.”

According to information released by DA Ryan’s office, MacDonald was a paraprofessional at Malden High School that had been assigned to the victim’s classroom in September 2015. Police say MacDonald sexually assaulted the victim while bringing him to the bathroom. MacDonald allegedly threatened to kill the victim’s mother if he didn’t comply with his demands.

The victim reported the assaults to his mother and his doctors in March of 2016. MacDonald was placed on leave after the allegations were reported to the school.

The DA says Malden High School is fully cooperating with the investigation.

MacDonald was released on personal recognizance and was ordered to stay away from the victim and his family. He was also told to have no unsupervised contact with children under 18 and to report to the Malden Police station today for booking, photographs and finger printing.

The next scheduled court hearing is September 15.