A Baltimore City public school teacher reported missing over the weekend was located and arrested on allegations that he sexually abused a minor in Pennsylvania, authorities and school officials said Wednesday.
Teacher placed on leave after arrest
The teacher, Rogie Legaspi, 56, who worked at Hamilton Elementary/Middle School, was taken into custody on charges alleging he met a 12-year-old boy through social media and traveled from Baltimore to Pennsylvania to meet the child over the course of roughly two years.
In a statement to families, the school principal said Legaspi was put on leave after the school learned of his arrest and noted the district’s commitment to student safety. The statement also said the teacher had been reported missing over the weekend before being located.
“We are committed to maintaining open communication with our school community whenever events impact our campus. As some of you may be aware, one of our teachers, Rogie Legaspi, was reported missing over the weekend. We can share that he has been located,” the principal’s message said. “However, please be advised that Mr. Legaspi has been placed on leave after we learned that he was arrested over the weekend for a crime involving a minor in Pennsylvania.”
The district added it had not received any information that the allegations involved current or former City Schools students, and it directed parents with concerns to contact School Police at 410-396-8588.
Allegations involve social media contact, travel to Pennsylvania
According to the account by authorities and school officials, Legaspi allegedly met the boy on social media when the child was 12 years old and then met with him approximately twice a month, traveling from Baltimore to locations in Pennsylvania for those encounters. The timeframe of the alleged meetings was described as spanning two years.
The details released publicly do not identify the specific Pennsylvania jurisdiction where the alleged incidents occurred nor the precise charges filed; local and state law enforcement agencies are handling the prosecution and investigation.
District response and resources for families
Baltimore City Public Schools emphasized that the safety and well-being of students are a top priority and said staff are held to rigorous professional standards. The district said it will maintain communication with families as appropriate, but cited employee privacy laws and court proceedings as limiting the amount of information it can share at this time.
Officials urged any families with concerns about possible interactions involving their students to contact school police and to review available support resources through district offices and counseling services.
Context and ongoing scrutiny
This is the second case this year in which a Baltimore City teacher has been accused of sexually abusing a minor, according to the school system’s statement. The recurrence of such allegations has heightened scrutiny of hiring, monitoring and reporting practices in the district, as well as the role of social media in facilitating contact between adults and minors.
Investigators typically review digital communications, travel records and witness accounts in cases alleging repeated meetings over time. Because the investigation spans jurisdictions, prosecutors in Pennsylvania may coordinate with Baltimore law enforcement and the school district to assemble evidence and determine appropriate charges and venues for prosecution.
At this stage, parents and community members are awaiting additional details from law enforcement about the charges and next steps in the legal process. The school district said it will continue to support a consistent learning environment for students while the matter proceeds through criminal and administrative channels.
- Teacher: Rogie Legaspi, 56
- Employer: Hamilton Elementary/Middle School (Baltimore City Public Schools)
- Alleged victim age: 12 at initial contact
- Allegations: Met via social media; alleged in-person meetings in Pennsylvania roughly twice a month over two years
- District contact: School Police, 410-396-8588
| Item | Known detail |
|---|---|
| Teacher | Rogie Legaspi, 56 |
| School | Hamilton Elementary/Middle School |
| Alleged victim age at first contact | 12 |
| Allegation setting | Meetings in Pennsylvania; social media contact |
As the case moves forward, official updates from law enforcement and the Baltimore City Public Schools will be key to clarifying charges and any potential impacts on students and staff. Families with immediate concerns are encouraged to reach out to school officials or school police for guidance.
Reporting for this article relied on the school district’s statement and law enforcement summaries provided to the public. Additional information will be reported as it becomes available through official channels.
