A third grade teacher in Montgomery County has been arrested and charged for the indecent assault of a former student, according to the Upper Merion Township Police Department. Late in 2025, Zachary Schettone, 39, was reported to police for having one of his third grade students at Gulph Element ary School sit on his lap and touching the child inappropriately, officials said. The police department says that the victim reported Schettone’s actions. After the Upper Merion Area School District was alerted by police about the incident, Schettone was placed on leave in Aug. 2025 and he has not been back to work since, officials say. In a letter sent to families from the school district, Superintendent Dr. Tamara Thomas Smith explained that the student was in Schettone’s classroom three years ago and is no longer with the district. “We understand that this news will cause significant concern and strong emotions within our community. We are especially sensitive to the impact this may have on the families and students who were previously in this classroom,” Dr. Smith wrote. Schettone was charged with indecent assault without consent, indecent assault of a victim under the age of 13, corruption of minors and harassment by physical contact. ...read more read less