Manuel Edgardo Ponce is accused of inappropriately touching victims as young as 8 years old at Sutton Elementary School.
An elementary school teacher, who was  accused of sexually abusing at least eight young students, has been sentenced to life in prison this week.
Manuel Ponce, a former teacher at Sutton Elementary School in the Houston Independent School District, faced charges of ongoing sexual abuse of a child.
The video presented above was initially broadcasted in February 2023.
After news of his arrest was made public in February 2023, additional students came forward, increasing the total number of victims to eight. Court documents revealed that some of the victims, as young as 8 years old, stated that Ponce had touched them inappropriately in their private areas.
In 5th grade, the victim finally confided in her teacher about the disturbing ordeal she had been enduring. She shared that Ponce would instruct the other students to take a restroom break while asking her to stay behind, solely for the purpose of inspecting her private parts. This distressing incident occurred almost every day.
According to prosecutors, the students who were in Ponce’s classroom during the 2021 to 2022 school year also had similar stories to share.
HISD announced that Ponce stepped down in 2022.
Talking to your children is an essential aspect of parenting. It allows you to connect, understand their thoughts and feelings, and build a strong relationship. However, sometimes it can be challenging to communicate effectively with your kids. Here are some tips on how to talk to your children in a way that promotes open and honest communication.
How to talk to your children
According to Dr. Whitney Crowson, a clinical psychologist at the Children’s Assessment Center, the process of empowering children to combat abuse starts from their early years.
According to Crowson, when you narrate your actions while changing a diaper, you are shedding light on parts of the body that are usually associated with embarrassment, shame, and secrecy. This helps to break down societal taboos and encourages open conversations about these topics.
According to Crowson, it is important for parents to use the correct names for body parts when communicating with their children.
She emphasized the importance of using proper names, stating that it sends a message that these topics are safe to discuss.
Crowson emphasized the importance of parents teaching their children that no one should touch them in inappropriate areas.
“It is absolutely acceptable to refuse adults when their actions are harmful to you,” she advised. “Or when their behavior is inappropriate. Or when it involves something that makes you uncomfortable. You have every right to say no to them.”
Crowson emphasized the importance of parents conveying to their children that they can openly discuss any topic without facing negative consequences.
Having difficult conversations can be challenging, especially when it involves children. However, there are books available for both kids and adults that can provide guidance and support, making these conversations a little easier to navigate.
