Greece, N.Y. (WHAM) — A teacher for the Dansville Central School District is facing charges after police say he grabbed and pushed a teenager during an incident at a Greece roller rink last month.
Steven Picazo, 51, of Henrietta appeared in Greece Town Court Thursday in connection with the alleged incident March 14 at Horizon Fun FX. Picazo pleaded not guilty to harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.
The teen victim’s mother, a Rochester woman who asked to remain anonymous, said she learned what happened when she picked her son up from the skating rink the same day.
“(My son) stated, ‘I was skating, and I was listening to my music and then a young child cut in front of me, and at that time, I went to avoid colliding with the child, but I inadvertently collided with a middle-aged woman,'” the woman recalled. “And he said, ‘We both fell, I remember turning,’ he said he turned to her, and he said, ‘Oh, my god, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. Are you OK?’”
The anonymous mother said the woman’s husband, later identified as Picazo, then confronted her son.
“(My son) said, ‘I put my hands up, and the guy was yelling at me, and then he started grabbing me, and he pushed me,'” the woman said. “And I said, ‘Buddy, that’s not OK.’”
The mother said her son was not physically injured, but the incident has taken an emotional toll. She said she went back to the rink and called the police.
The police report obtained by 13WHAM said Picazo told officers he never laid his hands on the teen and that the argument was only verbal.
“He maintained that he never touched my son, although there were witnesses that were willing to come forward and that did come forward,” the woman explained.
Picazo’s attorney, Brian DeCarolis, spoke with 13WHAM following the arraignment Thursday. He explained that the child endangerment charge is a misdemeanor, and the harassment charge is a violation.
“Mr. Picazo is 51 years old, and he has taught in the Dansville School District for over 20 years,” DeCarolis said. “Never been in trouble before, good reputable teacher, good reputable guy, and at his daughter’s birthday party at a roller-skating rink, a situation was completely and totally blown out of proportion.”
The mother said she was surprised to later learn Picazo is a long-time teacher. She said she hopes to see justice for her son and family.
“This is the first time I’ve ever dropped him off, just turned 16 years old, and I don’t know if I mentioned this earlier, but honors student,” the woman said. “So, he’s really focused on his studies, but he’s a really forgiving child, and I asked him, I said, ‘Do you feel that I overreacted as your mom?’ And he said, ‘Mom, you taught me that I was violated.’”
DeCarolis said Picazo is on paid leave. The school district told 13WHAM it cannot comment on confidential personnel matters.
An order of protection was issued for the teenager, and Picazo was released to pretrial services. He is scheduled to be back in court next month.