Alleged Sexual Abuse Victim Testifies against Teacher Stephen Budd

CBS 12
May 29, 2015

http://cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_26102.shtml

- A former private school teacher, accused of molesting two students, faced one of his accusers in court on Thursday.

Stephen Budd is on trial, charged with sexually molesting two of his fourth grade students at the Rosarian Academy, a West Palm Beach Catholic school.

The alleged victim told jurors she is 18 years old now, and just graduated from high school. She said the sexual abuse she endured in fourth grade became like a normal part of school for her.

The first incident, said the young woman, happened while Budd played a movie and the classroom was dark.

She said Budd offered her and her friend extra classroom incentive play money, "Budd Bucks." The “Budd Bucks” were a status symbol in the classroom, she said.

“He moved my underwear to the side,” she said, and touched her private area. She ran to the bathroom crying.

The sexual incidents soon resumed, said the young woman.

She said she and the friend would get under Budd’s desk, where Budd exposed himself and had them touch him. He engaged in sex acts in front of them, said the woman.

The girls, she said, vowed never to tell anyone. But in high school, after Budd sent her a Facebook friend request, she eventually told her family.

Earlier in his opening statement to jurors, Budd’s attorney, Jason Weiss, questioned the six-year delay in reporting the alleged incidents.

Weiss asked how the alleged acts could go on in a classroom of students, at a school, and no one notice. The lawyer said no one could corroborate the girls’ stories.

The second alleged victim is expected to testify Friday.

If convicted as charged, Budd faces life in prison. The trial is expected to continue into Monday.