Southeastern Voke Teacher Assistant Charged With Kidnapping, Rape

EASTON, MA — A Southeastern Vocational Regional High School staff member has been fired amid what the school is calling a "potentially serious and completely inappropriate incident" between the teaching assistant and several students. Matthew Parris, 29, of Raynham was held without bail on charges of kidnapping, aggravated statutory rape and rape of a child through the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

Southeastern Regional Superintendent of Schools Luis G. Lopes said in a statement that the teaching assistant was "immediately terminated" after a school investigation of students' allegations.

"Furthermore, that individual is not allowed on school property and is not allowed any contact our students," Lopes wrote to WFXT-TV.

Lopes said that the district has turned over all investigative work to the District Attorney's Office and Easton police.

"In addition to the police and meeting with the families involved," Lopes said, "we also notified and are working with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Family Services, and are filing a report with the Department of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education."