Montgomery County substitute teacher arrested for sexual abuse of teen student

SILVER SPRING, Md. - A Montgomery County substitute teacher has been arrested after police say he was involved in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student.

Montgomery County police say detectives began investigating 27-year-old Cory Boatman on Sept. 22 after it was reported to them that he was engaging in the sexual relationship with the teenage victim who attends Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring.

According to investigators, Boatman met the 16-year-old victim while he was working at the school as a substitute teacher and assistant football coach at Blair. The girl told investigators that Boatman began sending suggestive text messages to her in early August. Later that month, Boatman picked her up at her home and drove her to his residence where they had sexual intercourse.

Boatman was arrested Friday morning after he turned himself in. He has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor.

Boatman has been employed with Montgomery County Public Schools since 2014, serving as a substitute teacher at Montgomery Blair High School and at Northwood High School.

He was also an assistant football coach and volunteer basketball coach at Blair, coaching at the school for at least six years. He played college football at Syracuse University.

Montgomery County Public Schools says Boatman has been placed on administrative leave.

FOX 5 spoke to several parents about the allegations against Boatman at Friday night's football game at the school. Susan Mize called the situation sad.

"They always talk about you want your children to be close to their teachers and come for extra help, and as a parent, you do want that, but the teacher knows the line," said Mize. "You never cross the line and so I'm sad to hear that it's happened again."

Montgomery Blair High School principal Renay Johnson wrote in a letter to parents:

Dear Parents and Guardians:

I am writing to inform you about the arrest of Mr. Cory Boatman, a long term substitute teacher and assistant football coach at Montgomery Blair High School, on charges of one count of sexual abuse of a minor. The charges stem from an alleged inappropriate relationship between Mr. Boatman and a 16 year-old Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) student. MCPS has been fully cooperating with Child Protective Services, the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), and the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office on this matter. Pursuant to our memorandum of understanding with these agencies and MCPS policies and regulations, MCPS has not shared any details broadly with the community until now to avoid prejudicing the ongoing investigation Mr. Boatman was immediately placed on administrative leave after the allegations of his actions were made to the school.

Mr. Boatman has been employed with MCPS as a substitute teacher since 2014. In addition to his role as a substitute teacher, he has served as Montgomery Blair High School's assistant football coach and a volunteer basketball coach. He also served as a substitute teacher at Northwood High School.

These charges are deeply concerning and unacceptable. This type of behavior does not reflect the principles of MCPS or our community, and it will not be tolerated.

As always, the safety and security of our students is our top priority.

Our school psychologist, counselor, pupil personnel worker, school security and staff are ready and available to provide counseling and support to students as needed.

If you or your child have any information that may be helpful to the investigation, I ask that you call the Special Victims Investigations Division of the Montgomery County Police Department at 240-773-5400.

In closing, although this is a difficult time for the Blair community, Blazer families support each other in times of crisis.I know that you join me in extending support to our school community. Please do not hesitate to contact me at Renay_C_Johnson@mcpsmd.org and/or 301-649-2800 if you have questions.

Police are asking parents with children who may have had contact with Boatman to contact detectives at 240-773-5400 if they believe their child was victimized by the suspect.