Mt Hebron teacher charged with sexual abuse of student

Howard County Police have charged Matthew Barth, 44, of Ellicott City, with sexually abusing a 15-year-old at Mt. Hebron High School over a period of about four months.

Police were notified of the suspected abuse by a friend of the victim on May 2.

Howard County Public School System superintendent Michael Martirano stated in a system-wide email that Barth was placed on administrative leave and removed from access to students when the school system learned of the accusation.

Barth has been a teacher at Mt. Hebron since 2003. He was arrested in North Carolina Thursday, where he is now in custody and is awaiting an extradition trial.

HCPSS released a full letter from Martirano Thursday afternoon:

"As many of you may have heard, the Howard County Police Department charged a Mt. Hebron High School teacher, Matthew Barth, with 'sexual abuse of a minor and a third-degree sex offense.' He has been a teacher at Mt. Hebron since 2003 and it has been his only HCPSS school of employment. He was placed on administrative leave and removed from access to students when HCPSS was informed of the accusation.

This is an ongoing police investigation and we are unable to share other information at this time. The police press release may be found online.

"As a parent and an educator, I find this news troubling and upsetting. If you suspect that your child may have had an inappropriate encounter with this individual – or any individual – please contact the Howard County Police Department Detectives at 410-313-STOP or [email protected].

In addition, the Howard County Police Department has asked that anyone with information related to this matter call them directly at 410-313-STOP.

"Staff who work in the school system are held to the highest standard as we are entrusted to take care of the children and keep them safe in this community.

I am deeply concerned and disturbed at this news and I know that like me, many of our staff, parents and guardians will have concerns. As we process this news, we have to make sure that we put every support in place to help our students who are impacted by this news or may have difficulty processing this. School administrators and staff at all schools are prepared to provide support for students. The school system website provides resources to assist you with these difficult conversations and a few suggestions are included below.

"As you have these difficult conversations at home with your children, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child(ren)'s principals, counselors, teachers or community superintendents if we can provide any support whatsoever. Every school's administrative team and Student Services staff are prepared to assist any students who are upset by this news.

Detectives are asking for any additional victims or anyone who may have information to come forward by contacting police at 410-313-STOP or [email protected].