Manhattan charter school principal charged with sexual abuse of multiple students
Eric Cato, a principal at a Manhattan KIPP middle school, has been charged with sexually abusing at least two students and endangering a third, and was released on his own recognizance after arraignment.
A Manhattan charter school principal, Eric Cato, faces charges of sexual contact with at least two students, one of whom was 12 years old, and of endangering a third child during a period spanning 2024 to 2025. The indictment, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, details the alleged misconduct occurring between October 2024 and March 2026, with the additional endangerment charge covering August to December 2025. Cato was taken into custody on August 12, entered a not-guilty plea at his arraignment, and was subsequently released on his own recognizance.
KIPP NYC has terminated his employment and reiterated its commitment to protecting students. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called the alleged actions a breach of trust and asked anyone with information to contact the Child Abuse Bureau, while the NYPD also appealed for potential victims to report their experiences.
Why it matters
The case raises concerns about student safety and oversight in charter schools.
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