Crime & Safety

Teacher Accused of Flashing in Vernon Absent from School

Manchester man who is facing indecency charge in Vernon did not report to school in New Britain and has been put on leave.

The New Britain teacher who is facing public indecency charges after an incident near Lake Street Elementary School over the weekend was not at work Monday.

Daniel Mer, 31, of 117 Delmont St., Manchester, was not at Roosevelt Middle School in New Britain this morning, a receptionist said. He has been placed on administrative leave, according to a New Britain School system news release. Helen Yung, the public information officer for the New Britain School system, said it is the system's policy not to comment further on personnel issues. 

Mer's gross salary is $73,000 and he has a provisional education certification that is valid until June 30, 2015, Yung said.

Teacher disciplinary actions are not exempt from disclosure under state Freedom of Information law, but Yung said she has not heard of any additional action taken against Mer. 

She said she is not aware of any special meeting scheduled by the New Britain Board of Education to discuss the matter. The board's next regularly scheduled meeting is March 21. If Mer were to be discussed, it would likely be in executive session, Yung said.    

Vernon police said Mer exposed himself to woman near Lake Street School on Saturday.

Police said they received a complaint from a woman about a flasher near Lake Street and Rosewood Drive at 10:17 a.m. on Saturday, who was later identified as Mer. The woman said she was walking on Lake Street near the school when Mer drove past her and turned onto Rosewood Drive, according to an arrest report. 

Mer stopped at the intersection of Lake Street and Rosewood Drive, forcing the woman to walk around his vehicle, police said. As she did, Mer put his left leg out of the vehicle and the woman saw that he was naked from the waist down, police said. 

Mer was engaging in a sexual act by himself while looking at the woman, according to an arrest report. 

Mer then drove toward the dead end on Rosewood Drive and the woman was able to get the license plate number and a description of the vehicle, police said.  

Vernon Police said they followed up on this information and spoke with Mer. Mer was then arrested and charged him with public indecency and breach of peace. Bond was set at $2,500 and he is expected to appear in Vernon Superior Court on March 22. 

Vernon police did not identify Mer as a teacher. The name is on the roster on the school system Web site and Yung confirmed that a he is a media specialist at Roosevelt Middle School. She also identified Mer from a police mug shot. 
 
She declined further comment today. 

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