WILMINGTON, DE — Delaware State Police have arrested a former elementary school teacher on multiple felony charges following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving students at Anna P. Mote Elementary School.
Authorities confirmed that 57-year-old Vincent Buckwash, of Wilmington, was charged on August 14, 2025, with five counts of unlawful sexual contact with a person under 13 and five counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a child by a person of trust.
According to investigators, the case began in May 2024, when both the school’s administration and the Delaware Division of Family Services notified state police of allegations that a teacher had inappropriately touched several students. Buckwash was immediately removed from his position by the district and did not return to the school. He retired on July 1, 2024, while the investigation was ongoing.
Detectives allege that during the 2023–2024 school year, Buckwash inappropriately touched five students on multiple occasions while employed at the school. Following an extensive investigation and consultation with the Delaware Department of Justice, warrants for his arrest were issued last week. Buckwash turned himself in at Delaware State Police Troop 2 on August 14.
He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released after posting a $30,000 secured bond.
The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit at Troop 2 continues to investigate and is asking anyone with information or who may have been affected to contact Detective M. Conway at (302) 365-8411. Tips may also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Police stress that the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.