Cherry Hill Township, NJ – Six former students have filed lawsuits against the Cherry Hill school district, alleging the district failed to protect them from a teacher accused of sexually abusing students during the early 1980s. The lawsuits claim that Otto Becken, a sixth-grade teacher at James F. Cooper Elementary School, had a known history of inappropriate and abusive behavior toward young students, yet district officials failed to act.
Sexual Abuse Allegations Span Classroom and School Trips
The complaints describe abuse occurring both inside and outside the school. Plaintiffs allege that Becken targeted students during lunch periods and on a week-long camping trip in the Pinelands. The lawsuits argue that district administrators were aware of Becken’s close relationships with students and concerning comments, but did not intervene or report the behavior to state authorities.
Chuck Wicker, now 54, was among the first to file suit in 2023. He states that Becken’s abuse began when he was invited to lunch in the classroom for extra reading help and continued over an extended period. “Like so many others, it took me a while to come forward but it will have been worth it if it will help protect children in New Jersey,” Wicker said.
District Denies Allegations, Records Show Prior Warnings
In response to the lawsuits, the Cherry Hill school district has denied any failure to protect students, according to court documents. However, the complaints cite records showing that by 1977, district administrators had already warned Becken to maintain professional boundaries with students. The principal at the time reportedly told Becken that he needed to “draw a line between teachers and pupils,” referencing concerns about his choice of subject matter, games, and interactions.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that Becken’s reputation for inappropriate behavior was well known within the district. They say that despite warnings and reports from students, including a 1977 complaint from a girl in Becken’s class, no investigation was conducted, and authorities were not notified.
Teacher Resigned After Criminal Charges
Becken was charged in August 1984 with multiple counts of sexual assault, endangering, abuse, and neglect. He pleaded guilty in 1985 to three counts of sexual assault involving children under 13. Under a settlement agreement, Becken resigned from the district in January 1985 and forfeited his teaching certificate. Court records do not indicate the sentence he received. Becken died in Pennsylvania in 2011.
Attorneys Cite Institutional Failures
The lawsuits accuse the district of ignoring clear warnings and failing to take action to protect students. “This is a case about institutional failure, and these complaints allege that the district had clear warnings and should have known about Becken’s behavior, yet did nothing to protect the children under their care,” said the attorney…