Westport Teacher Accused of Inappropriately Touching Student: Police

Westport police have arrested a middle school teacher who they said was accused of inappropriately touching a student.

Police said they received a report on Jan. 27 that a Bedford Middle School teacher possibly touched a student inappropriately. 

The teacher was identified as 72-year-old Arthur Ellis, of Westerly, Rhode Island.

The person who made the complaint said she had Ellis for a class, and it was alleged that the inappropriate touching occurred this past December during class time, according to Westport police.

Police investigated, a warrant was issued and Ellis was charged with sexual assault in the fourth degree and risk of injury to a child, police said.

The superintendent's office said the school district made a report on Jan. 27 to the Department of Children and Families and the Westport Police Department and Ellis was immediately placed on leave and has not been allowed on school grounds since that time.

Because of the nature of the investigation and the fact that this is also a personnel matter, the district is not at liberty to discuss this matter any further, the superintendent's office said.

They added that the district has, and will continue to, fully cooperate with the Westport Police Department.

Ellis turned himself in on Wednesday afternoon and he was released after posting a $100,000 bond.

He is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on May 6.