HOUSTON — A Houston-area teacher accused of sexually abusing a student faced a judge Wednesday morning. The alleged victim is just 7 years old.
Matthew Stegeman Sr., 52, a former Klein ISD teacher who was fired following an investigation, is out on bond after being charged with indecency with a child by sexual contact. A judge ordered Wednesday that Stegemen have no contact with the alleged victim and must stay at least 500 feet away from any location where children gather, including schools, parks, and playgrounds.
His bond was previously set at $50,000.
Stegeman was arrested earlier this month after investigators said a 7-year-old student at Epps Island Elementary told her mother that her teacher, identified as Stegeman, allegedly touched her private area and tried to put his hands down her underwear back in September.
When she pulled away and told him, "No," court documents state the teacher told her, "You may not like it now, but you will later."
According to court documents, the girl said Stegeman continued to touch her inappropriately on multiple occasions and that he constantly called her "cute" and "pretty.”
Stegeman’s attorney spoke to the concerns of parents at the school.
“Obviously people get very concerned when children are involved that breeds a whole host of issues in these types of cases and so it’s always best to reserve judgment until all the facts come out,” Joseph Vinas, Stegeman’s attorney, said.
Stegeman’s next court date is Feb. 12 for a status hearing.