Former teacher allegedly blindfolded, sexually assaulted underage female students
02/03/2023 11:27 am PST
WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. (TCD) -- A 43-year-old former teacher faces child sexual assault charges after allegedly blindfolding underage female students and sexually assaulting them.
In a news release, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced that James Baird allegedly sexually assaulted at least four victims at different schools from 2018 until 2020. According to the Detroit Free Press, Baird also worked as a vision specialist.
On Jan. 4, 2018, the Prosecutor’s Office alleged Baird sexually assaulted a 10-year-old female victim multiple times while he was administering vision tests in the 6400 block of Hartel Street in Garden City. He allegedly committed a similar offense May 1, 2019, with an 11-year-old girl, but she was blindfolded.
On March 1, 2018, the Prosecutor’s Office said Baird allegedly did the same thing to a 13-year-old female at a school in the 35100 block of Bayview Street in Westland.
In the most recent incident, on Feb. 11, 2020, Baird allegedly blindfolded and sexually assaulted a 15-year-old female at a school in the 38500 block of Palmer Road in Westland.
Baird reportedly faces multiple charges, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct and second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
For the cases based out of Westland, the Prosecutor’s Office said Baird was arraigned on Wednesday, Feb. 1. His personal bond was reportedly set at $100,000, and he will have to wear a GPS monitor. Baird was also ordered not to contact any females under the age of 18.
Baird was also reportedly arraigned on Feb. 1, regarding the Garden City cases, and his personal bond was set at $15,000.
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