Former schoolteacher guilty in sex case

DURHAM -- A former charter elementary school teacher accused of molesting one of his young students off school grounds was convicted this week of sexual battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Grant F. Rockett, 49, of 2500-A Englewood Ave., a former teacher at Central Park School for Children, received suspended sentences and was released on supervised probation. His name was added Tuesday to the N.C. Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry.

Jan Paul, the assistant district attorney who prosecuted the case in the Durham County courthouse, said she worked closely with the family of the boy on the misdemeanors plea deal.

Rockett must undergo a psychological evaluation and treatment plan. He cannot have any contact with the boy, who was 9 years old when the encounter occurred. And he cannot live in a house with children younger than 16.

Rockett accepted the guilty pleas during a court hearing Monday before Judge Steve A. Balog. But his lawyer, Alex Charns, said that under the Alford plea that Rockett accepted, he denied guilt.

"If the felony charge had gone to trial," Charn said, "Mr. Rockett's defense would have been the acts alleged against him amounted to ill-advised horseplay that was not criminal in nature."

Rockett was fired from Central Park School for Children after the allegations arose in October.

In her presentation to the judge, Paul said the former second-grade teacher kissed the boy on the lips and pulled the boy's pants down and touched his bare buttocks with his hand.

Rockett also was found guilty of letting the boy sip a beer.

The felony charge of indecent liberties with a minor charge will be dismissed, according to Charns.

Vicky Patton, a member of the Central Park School for Children board, said school leaders found out about the plea late Friday and had not discussed whether or how they planned to contact parents about the outcome.

She reissued a statement released by the school in October after charges were filed. "We are struggling to understand what has occurred and how we can best give comfort to students, parents and staff who are saddened and confused by the issues raised by the charges," the statement said.