Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Tuesday, Oct. 28, that a Bronx janitor was sentenced to five years in prison for sexually abusing a 2nd grader at a Bronx public school.

 

“The defendant grabbed a little girl and abused her in what should been a haven for children,” the district attorney said. “He will spend five years in prison and register as a sex offender for violating a child.”

 

Clark said the defendant, Cesar Ortega Licona, 45, of Yonkers, was sentenced on Tuesday to five years in prison plus five years post release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Laurence Busching. She said the defendant must also register as a sex offender. Licona pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse on Sept. 9.

 

According to the investigation, on Dec. 17, 2024, at around 3.45 p.m., inside a Bronx public school, Licona, a janitor at the school, forcefully pulled an 8-year-old girl into an empty classroom and sexually assaulted her. Prosecutors said she ran out of the classroom screaming for help, and a teacher called 911. The defendant was linked to the attack through DNA evidence.

 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Camila Sosa of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, under the supervision of Johanna Hernandez, deputy chief of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, Alexandra Militano, deputy chief of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, Mimi Mairs, chief of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, and under the overall supervision of Adrienne Giunta, deputy chief of the special victims division and Joseph Muroff, chief of special victims division.

 

Clark thanked Sara Gissel, trial preparation assistant with the child abuse/sex crimes bureau for her assistance, as well as NYPD Officer Jessica Zerbo from the 52^nd Precinct for her work on the case. The 52nd Precinct covers some or all of the Bronx neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Bronx Park, and University Heights. The student’s school has not been identified to protect the identity of the victim.

 

Norwood News has reached out to NYC Department of Education for comment, and a spokesperson provided the following statement. “This behavior is deeply disturbing and has absolutely no place in our schools,” it read. “This individual was immediately removed from school as soon as we were made aware of this allegation, and offered support services to the student and their family. We are dedicated to keeping our schools safe and ensuring that only those who hold that same commitment are employed in our schools.”

 

We were further informed that all school staff, including support staff, are required to undergo a background check, federal and state fingerprinting, to submit a background questionnaire, and are also subject to a review of related history.