MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Students at Christian Brothers University are shaken following a reported on-campus sexual assault.
A 16-year-old enrolled at Middle College High School and CBU told Memphis Police fellow classmates fondled her Tuesday afternoon in the school’s library.
“I know I have to be careful. My parents tell me all the time I got to be careful,” CBU freshman Ezra Leoncio said.
Leoncio walked to class a little differently Wednesday after hearing the news.
“It’s scary to know there are people like that here. I felt safe here,” she said.
“We teach our students any unwanted touch is assault,” CBU spokeswoman Wendy Sumner-Winter said.
The university sent out an alert to other students Tuesday night, letting them know Memphis police are investigating. But this isn’t the only on-campus sexual assault MPD is investigating at CBU this month.
Less than two weeks ago, police arrested Paul Marciano for fondling his ex-girlfriend, a CBU student, while she was on campus. CBU said it was initially reported to university police, but campus officers did not notify the university because the alleged attack was domestic and Marciano is not a student.
CBU student Demetrius Caldwell said he thinks he agrees with the school’s decision not to send an alert out.
“The guy who assaulted the young lady, he was only interested in her,” he said. “He’s not interested in trying to attack anybody else.”
But Caldwell said he does think the teenage students are a danger to other students.
CBU is directly across the street from Middle College High. CBU said once high school students step onto campus, they are expected to act like adults. For the students accused of this sexual assault, it’s Shelby County Schools’ call if they’ll be disciplined in the school system.
Leoncio said something must be done.
“It means it can happen anytime to anybody,” she said.
The students accused in this latest sexual assault are minors, and MPD has not released any information about them. Once the police investigation is complete, SCS will determine what will happen to those students.
Marciano, the man accused in this month’s earlier attack, heads to court in October.
