Teacher indicted for sexual abuse in Delaware

A teacher from Orange County, Christopher Crisona, has been indicted on multiple charges of sex abuse. The 57-year-old educator was arrested last week after an investigation linked him to abuse claims at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Delaware between 1994 and 1996. The charges include serious felonies such as unlawful sexual contact and continuous sexual abuse of a child. The allegations involve repeated abuse of a student Crisona taught during the time he worked at the school. Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings described the situation as one of “gravely serious abuse” committed by someone in a position of trust. Crisona was previously dismissed from St. Thomas midway through the school year due to a student complaint. Crisona has worked in various schools along the East Coast and was employed by Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) since 2008. He has taught at several elementary schools and middle schools in the district. OCPS announced Crisona's arrest to parents and stated he will not return to campus during the ongoing investigation. As investigators seek other potential victims, Jennings emphasized the trauma experienced by the victim and the commitment to seeking justice. Crisona remains in Orange County Jail and may be extradited to Delaware to face his charges. Authorities are also looking into the case involving a priest, Father John Taggart, who is accused of abusing the same victim. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Department of Justice in Delaware. Both Crisona and Taggart are presumed innocent until proven guilty.