DELHI _ A former substitute teacher's aide at Franklin Central School who is a former Delaware County corrections officer has been indicted on four more charges of child sexual abuse, including first-degree rape.
Robert R. Becker Jr., 36, of Franklin, was arraigned Friday on felony charges of first-degree rape and first-degree sexual abuse and misdemeanor charges of second-degree unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child.
Becker was indicted by a Delaware County grand jury Thursday and arrested Friday.
He previously pleaded innocent in Delaware County Court on charges of having sex with a student and attempting to have sexual contact with two other students.
Delaware County District Attorney Richard Northrup said the new charges bring the number of alleged victims to five.
The new charges are the result of an ongoing investigation and new victims coming forward, Delaware County deputies said in a media release.
Becker is alleged to have engaged in sexual intercourse and sexual contact, both by forcible compulsion, with two victims, each of whom was younger than 17, deputies said.
On Friday, Delaware County Judge Carl Becker increased bail to $15,000 cash or $30,000 bail. The accused was previously released on $5,000 bail. The judge also issued orders of protection for the alleged victims and their families. The judge and the defendant are not related.
Robert Becker was arraigned Sept. 15 on three counts of third-degree rape; one count of third-degree criminal sexual act; four counts of endangering the welfare of a child; and one count of second-degree attempted sexual abuse.
The original charges alleged that Becker had sex with a girl younger than 17. According to the first indictment, those incidents occurred in late fall, in February and on May 13.
The alleged sex was reported in early September when one of the girls came forward, Northrup said.
The criminal sexual act charge stems from early spring. The charges of endangering the welfare of a child involved sexual conduct and took place in the fall, late March, early and mid-April and at the end of May. The attempted sexual abuse also took place at the end of May, according to court documents.
At his initial arraignment, Becker's assigned attorney, Larisa Obolensky, said he lost his job at the jail when he was arrested. She said he had also worked as a licensed electrician and plumber. Northrup said Becker's resignation from the jail was due to misconduct unrelated to the charges he faces.
Franklin Central School Superintendent Gordon Daniels said previously that Becker was a substitute teacher's aide who had worked five or six times at the school within the last year. He was also a volunteer assistant JV boys basketball coach for the last two seasons, Daniels said. Becker has not worked for the school since classes began this academic year, Daniels said.
In a letter to parents drafted after Becker's arrest, Daniels said he learned of the allegations earlier this month and the school district contacted the Delaware County Department of Social Services, which in turn referred the matter to the sheriff's department. The school is also cooperating with the investigation, he said.
Deputies are continuing their investigation.
On Friday night, Delaware County Sheriff Thomas Mills and Undersheriff Doug Vredenburgh were each unavailable for further comment.
