N.Y. teacher accused of touching students

A New York teacher has been arrested for allegedly touching young girls inappropriately, the fifth such arrest in recent weeks at city schools, officials said. Brett Picou, a 30-year-old teacher at Public School 52 in Queens, was arrested and held for arraignment Thursday, the New York Daily News reported. He was suspended without pay Feb. 15, the day the allegation was made that he touched an unspecified number of 9-year-old girls through their clothing in January. Department of Education Chancellor Dennis Walcott has ordered a review of all past investigations of sex crimes in city schools due to the recent spate of allegations. Taleek Brooks was arrested Feb. 7 for allegedly filming child porn at one school; Gregory Atkins was charged with molesting an 8-year-old disabled boy Feb. 10; Wilbert Cortez was arrested Feb. 16 for allegedly fondling two boys; and Chukwumu Duru was charged Wednesday with twisting a 16-year-old boy's nipples, the News said.