MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — An Upper West Side school aide who allegedly sexually abused an 8-year-old boy at P.S. 87 pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday.
Gregory Atkins, 56, made a brief court appearance at which prosecutors unsealed a three count indictment against the veteran Department of Education employee.
Officials said Atkins led a child into a bathroom stall at the William T. Sherman School, on West 78th Street, on Feb. 2, on four occasions. There, he allegedly forced the young victim to undress while he touched his body under the ruse that he was searching for bruises.
School investigators also found that Atkins allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with a student at another school in 2006.
While he was given a verbal warning, no formal report was drafted and placed in his file, the DOE said after his arrest.
His attorney, Ralph Cherchian, declined to comment after Wednesday's arraignment.
