Horrifying: Police Say Sexually Abusive HIV-Positive Middle School Aide Tried To Infect Children
Police in Maryland made a terrifying announcement this week about a fixture at a local middle school who worked closely with schoolchildren over the course of a number of years.
Charles Co. State's Atty: 100+ counts against Carlos Deangelo Bell covering May 2016-June 2017. 24 victims, 13 ID'd, 11 have not @WTOP pic.twitter.com/565NVel6N6
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) July 31, 2017
30-year old Carlos Deangelo Bell, an HIV-positive middle school aide, is accused of sexually assaulting upward of 40 students and seeking to intentionally infect at least five with the HIV virus. Bell, the coach of one of the school’s track teams, was arrested in July on charges of abusing 24 children, with the number since going up to 42. The suspect is presently charged with 206 counts of various sex abuse charges involving children ranging in age from 11 to 17.
Bell’s misbehavior allegedly started in May 2015 and continued until June 2017, occurring at his home, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, and a number of other possible places. Thus far, none of the young victims have tested positive for HIV.
The full statement by the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office reads:
La Plata, MD – Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, Maryland, in conjunction with Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry and Superintendent of Charles County Public Schools Dr. Kimberly Hill, advises that on Friday, October 20, 2017, the Grand Jury for Charles County returned a 206 count indictment for Carlos Deangelo Bell of Waldorf. This third indictment against Bell includes the previous allegations found in two prior indictments filed on June 30, 2017 and July 28, 2017, as well as charges for additional victims uncovered during the ongoing investigation.
The 206 count indictment covers 28 identified alleged victims and 14 unidentified alleged victims. The time frame of the alleged conduct spans approximately 2 years from May of 2015 through June of 2017. The ages of the alleged victims at the time the offenses were committed range from 11 years old to 17 years old.
In open Court today, Bell was served with this latest indictment and served with the State’s notice that, if he is convicted of certain crimes alleged in the indictment, the State will be seeking a life sentence. Bell is still being held without bond. Trial on these charges is scheduled for January 8, 2018.
At this time, the State is not aware of any alleged victim having tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Previous reporting to the contrary made by certain media outlets was inaccurate.
The investigation into Carlos Bell’s activities is still ongoing. The Sheriff’s Office continues the effort to identify any and all alleged victims in this matter. The State’s Attorney’s Office strongly encourages parents/guardians to speak with any child that may have had contact with Carlos Bell and immediately report any relevant information to the Sheriff’s Office.
