School janitor faces child endangerment charges

A Lynbrook school janitor is in jail and out of work after officials say he made improper advances on two middle school girls, Nassau police said.

Franciso Avila, a janitor at Lynbrook North Middle School, was escorted from the school by district officials Tuesday morning after the district was notified that he'd made advances to two girls.

Nassau police arrested Avila, 43, at his Uniondale home on Thursday night and charged him with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Police said on three occasions between December and February, Avila gave presents to a 13-year-old girl, including a key chain and heart-shaped box of candies on Valentine's Day left in her locker. The next day, police say he handed her a pack of gum containing a $100 on which he'd written his phone number, police said.

Officials said Avila also had a text message exchange earlier this month with a 14-year-old girl in which he suggested they see a movie together.

"I think that they felt threatened but I think they didn't know what to do because of their tender age," said Det. Lt. John Azzata of the Fifth Squad. One of the girls told an adult about the advances, who then notified the district. There was no physical contact between Avila and the girls, police said.

Lynbrook district superintendent Philip Cicero said there were no previous complaints about Avila, who passed a background check before he was hired by the district in December 2006.

"He's clearly suspended," Cicero said. "Our anticipation very absolutely is he won't be back working at Lynbrook." Cicero said parents of all 3,100 district schools would be notified Friday of Avila's arrest and the availability of counselors.

A message left at the Avila residence was not immediately returned. Police said he has no prior arrests. Avila was arraigned Friday in First District Court in Hempstead and held on $1,500 bail or $3,000 bond. The judge also issued orders of protection for both children.

By BY ANDREW STRICKLER
Posted Friday, February 29, 2008

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