NYC charter school principal accused of sexually abusing at least 2 students — but walks free

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Key points

• We urge anyone with information to contact our Child Abuse Bureau at 212-335-4300.
• Cato is additionally charged with endangering the welfare of a third child between August and December of 2025, the court document stated.
• Daniris Rodriguez, the mother of a 13-year-old girl allegedly groomed by Cato, informed NY1 she wants "accountability" and "justice" for her daughter.
• Both the Manhattan DA's Office and the NYPD have encouraged other potential victims to come forward.
• Cato has since been dismissed from his role at the charter school, according to a spokesperson for KIPPS NYC.

Meanwhile, a Manhattan charter school principal is charged with sexually abusing at least two students, including a 12-year-old girl – and is walking free without bail, The Post has learned.

Eric Cato – who worked at KIPP Washington Heights Middle School on Jumel Place in Upper Manhattan – allegedly targeted the children between October of 2024 and March of 2026, according to an indictment filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.

He is accused of exposing two kids to "sexual contact, " the court document remarked. The NYPD remarked one of the victims was only 12 years old.

Notably, the accused principal – who was arrested on Aug. 12 – pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and was published on his own recognizance, online court records show.

It's unclear whether prosecutors asked for bail. The Manhattan DA's Office didn't immediately comment.

"We take these allegations very seriously and understand how deeply alarming this news is for our school community, " the representative remarked. "This individual is no longer at the school, and we remain focused on protecting student privacy and maintaining a safe and supportive environment for KIPP families and staff."

"I was devastated because my daughter has been going to KIPP for years, and when you take your kids to school, you're leaving them where trustworthy people are, " Rodriguez remarked. "That was not the case."

Rodriguez informed the network her daughter decided to come forward as she believed she wasn't the only one subjected to the perverted behavior.

"I'm very proud of her for speaking up and being a voice for the kids who don't have a voice, that were shy, that were afraid, that were scared to even tell their parents, " she continued.

"As alleged, this principal abused his position to sexually abuse middle schoolers he was entrusted to mentor and keep safe, " DA Alvin Bragg remarked in an official note. "We are continuing to investigate alongside the NYPD."

"We urge anyone with information to contact our Child Abuse Bureau at 212-335-4300. Our specially trained prosecutors and counselors can speak with children in a sensitive manner in a child-friendly space."

Victims are additionally encouraged to call the NYPD's Sex Crimes Hotline at 1-212-267-7273, the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Taken together, the developments around NYC charter school principal accused of sexually abusing at least 2 students point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.