Daniel Hakim, Saltonstall School Gym Teacher Arrested, Accused of Indecent Assault of 10 Girls Between The Ages Of 6 And 8

Police in Salem, Massachusetts, have arrested a former physical education instructor on suspicion of indecent assault on ten girls.

Salem police announced Thursday that Daniel Hakim, a 36-year-old North Andover resident, was arrested Wednesday afternoon after a six-month investigation. He pleaded not guilty to 32 counts of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a kid under the age of 14 when he appeared in court later that day.

All of the student’s Hakim is suspected of abusing were at Salem’s Saltonstall School, where he taught from 2015 to 2018, when incidents of inappropriate behavior were reported and investigated, according to police.

Prosecutors said Hakim brushed up against the girls, who were in the first, second, and third grades, and inappropriately groped or hugged them, including reaching up girls’ shirts or down pants.

“The actions for which Daniel Hakim has been arrested and charged are abominations,” Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller, and Superintendent of Salem Public Schools Dr. Stephen Zrike said in a joint statement.

The judge set a $200,000 bail for Hakim, who would have to wear a GPS tracking bracelet and keep away from his accusers and their families if he is released.

Hakim and his wife work from home and homeschool their five children in North Andover. His family was in the courtroom and said nothing as they walked away.

Hakim was investigated in 2018 for illegal conduct and suspended, then “removed from service at the end of the school year,” according to Salem police. However, the claims were judged to be unprosecutable in a Massachusetts Department of Children and Families inquiry. It wasn’t immediately obvious what aspects of the allegations were not prosecutable.

According to police, Hakim’s teaching license was terminated in 2020, and a new Saltonstall student alerted her parents about something Hakim did to her in 2016. Hakim was arrested on seven charges after an inquiry.

According to police, Salem Public Schools held a public meeting regarding Hakim’s arrest at the time, and the resultant public awareness led to fresh pupils reporting more abuse to law enforcement. As a result, Hakim was apprehended.

“We are grateful for and applaud the cooperation of the victims and their families, their patience with the detailed investigation, and, above all, their courage in coming forward,” leaders said in their statement. “Additionally, on behalf of our entire community, we are deeply appreciative of the diligence and commitment of the Salem Police CID detective – herself a mother – who took on this important case to ensure that justice was done for these victims, and for the perseverance of the members of the District Attorney’s Office.”

They said they couldn’t say much more about the “disturbing and alarming” allegations regarding what occurred to the kids because of the pending legal process.

Last known contact information
Address: 55 Prescott St North Andover, MA 01845
Phone: (201) 543-4260
Email: dchakim@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dan.hakim