Marilynn Chaplin, 60, filed a report last month accusing Dennis Boyles, an investigator from the New York City Education Department’s Office of Special Investigation, of committing the assault during an October 1 argument at his office, the New York Times reported November 25. Chaplin had come to the office to discuss an unsatisfactory work review she had received the year before. The November 25 Long Island Newsday reported that Chaplin had a history of poor performance evaluations and had been charged with using corporal punishment and misusing school funds, according to the department’s teacher review office.
A friend of Chaplin initially told police she witnessed the alleged assault, but later said she had lied to help Chaplin, the Times reported.
The Associated Press said Chaplin had taught in New York City schools since 1967 and became a school librarian at Staten Island’s P.S. 56 in 1990.
Posted November 26, 2003; modified October 25, 2004.