A Middletown High School business teacher was found not guilty on all counts Monday in a case where he was accused of having a sexual relationship with a student who was 17 at the time.
Robert R. Schumacher, 39, of Clayton, turned himself into police June 29, 2009. He was charged with 10 counts of fourth degree rape after Delaware State Police conducted an investigation that led them to issue warrants for his arrest. He was released after posting a $25,000 secured bond.
Schumacher said the trial started last week and the verdict was announced after the jury deliberated for just 30 minutes Monday.
“It was a surreal feeling. It was numbness,” he said. “It’s hard to put into words.”
Delaware State Police said the investigation revealed that in late 2005, Schumacher befriended a female student who soon became a babysitter at the Schumacher residence. The student said that their relationship turned physical for seven months. She said sexual encounters took place between the two primarily at Schumacher’s home, but also once in a classroom at school.
In 2009, the accuser decided to come forward and report the incident.
Schumacher said he believed he would be found not guilty, but he was still nervous. Now he looks forward to getting back to a “normal life.”
Schumacher, who also was a cross country and track coach at Middletown High School, said he was suspended without pay after the 2008-2009 school year ended in June.
“What’s next for me is working with the state and the [Appoquinimink School] District to hopefully return to teaching at Middletown,” he said.
Schumacher said he, his wife Christine, and his children, Ryan, 12, and Danielle, 8, initially experienced ridicule after the arrest, but those who are close to them have been supportive through the entire ordeal.
“The support that I’ve gotten has been completely overwhelming to us,” he said.
Christine said they’re looking forward to having two salaries again and being able to enjoy life as they could before the arrest.
Robert said he believes everything happens for a reason, and being suspended from his teaching position has brought him closer to his loved ones.
“I’m a better husband, father and friend because of this experience,” he said. “I’ve been able to be home and have this time with my kids doing after school activities.”
