Teacher at Obama daughters’ school placed on probation for fondling pupil

NEW YORK - A teacher in a school where US President Barack Obama’s two daughters are enrolled has apparently been placed on five-year probation for fondling with a 15-year-old male student.

According to the Washington Post, Robert A. “Pete” Peterson was fired from the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. and has been registered on Maryland’s online sex offender database and is prohibited from spending time with children without another adult present, reports the New York Post.

His sentencing was the result of an earlier plea agreement, which allowed the victim in the case to avoid testifying in court.

The 65-year-old teacher began abuse at his home in Silver Spring, Md., when the boy was 14 years old and was hired by the teacher to do odd jobs.

It continued when the boy attended a summer camp where Peterson served as a director.

Peterson apologized to his victim and said he made bad decisions in a court statement.

“I am truly sorry. As a teacher for over 40 years, I have often advised my students that when they’ve gotten into trouble or made a serious mistake, they should stand tall and face the situation directly,” said Peterson.

“They should never lie, or try to weasel out of the consequences. I want to live up to that principle. I intend to face the consequences, and more importantly make amends for the damage done,” he added. (ANI)