The Newark St. Benedict's High School terminated the employment of one of their Dean of Students Wednesday after a child sex online self-proclaimed watchdog group said they caught the school counselor attempting to meet with an underage boy during a sting operation.
St. Benedict's Prep officials released the following statement to their staff, students, and parent this Wednesday morning:
"Early this morning, we were made aware of inappropriate conduct off of school property involving an adult lay member of the St. Benedict's Prep community.
This event did not involve any St. Benedict's students. Immediate action was taken to terminate the employment of this individual, as well as ensure law enforcement was apprised.
Though no current or former students were involved, and the event did not occur on school grounds, an internal investigation has already begun.
The welfare and safety of our students is central to the mission of St. Benedicts. All adults at St. Benedict's are annually required to participate in programs designed to identify and immediately address warning signs of harassment of any kind.
These programs have drastically reduced the possibility of any such conduct occurring on school property without our knowledge and immediate action.
Counseling services are available to any student, faculty, or staff member who needs support. Since the investigation is ongoing, we will have no further comment at this time".-St. Benedict's
According to the self-proclaimed watchdog group "Hunter XK," Mr. Didier Jean-Baptiste, who was St. Benedict's Prep's Dean of College Guidance/Seniors and a 1986 graduate, exchanged inappropriate text messages with a person he believed was a minor before making his way to an undisclosed location to meet the boy Tuesday.
The child predator watchdog group Hunter XK released the following on their Facebook page:
“So shortly after posting my first post on this guy, from a few sources, I found out more. DJ (Didier Jean) is INDEED, the dean of seniors/guidance for St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, New Jersey.
He came to a house to meet who he believed to be a 14-year-old boy for inappropriate activities. He was told the age and even looked up the age of consent, asked the boy inappropriate questions and even acknowledged he knew what he was doing was wrong. He refused to talk to me and answer questions, but the chat logs all speak for itself.
Police were notified and all evidence was turned in.
St. Benedict's School officials did not report an arrest in the matter. No law enforcement agency has immediately announced charges against Mr. Jean-Baptiste.