The Eighth Squad detectives report the arrest of a Hicksville woman for rape that occurred in Hicksville.

Kathy Tuifel, a 44-year-old teacher's aide at the Hicksville Middle School since September 2001, was arrested on Wednesday, March 13, for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with an 11-year-old male student. According to police, the boy, who was tutored by Tuifel and has been legally blind since birth, reported the incidents to school authorities on Tuesday, March 12.

According to police accounts, an investigation conducted by the Eighth Squad in conjunction with the Special Victims Squad revealed that Tuifel befriended the boy while instructing at the school and engaged in sexual intercourse while tutoring him in her Hicksville home. The incidents allegedly occurred on at least three occasions, with two in January and one earlier this month.

At a press conference held on Thursday, March 14 at Nassau County Police Headquarters, Detective Vincent Robustelli announced that the department would be looking into whether or not there were other victims.

Tuifel was arrested and charged with three counts of rape - first degree. She was arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Thursday, March 14.

Victoria A. Caruso