Davidsonville Teacher Fired

An Anne Arundel County teacher  living on Peggy Stewart Court in Davidsonville has been arrested and charged with having sexual encounters with a teenage student. Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent George Arlotto said the charges "sicken me to my core."

On Jan. 30, Anne Arundel County Police officers received a report of a possible sex offense that had occurred at South River High School, 201 Central Ave. East in Edgewater. The incident reportedly involved a teacher, 37-year-old Meredith Susan Barry Martin, and a teenage boy. Authorities said the two were seen together "initiating inappropriate contact."

Martin was immediately removed from her teaching position by the county school board and is not to have contact with children. According to the school district, Martin has been a full-time employee with AACPS since August 2007. She taught special education and science at Chesapeake High School from 2007 to 2012 and taught science at South River High School from 2012 to the time she was reassigned in January 2019.

The county's child abuse unit, along with staff from the Maryland Department of Social Services, interviewed witnesses and the teacher. The teen also submitted a written statement to the school board confirming that Martin had inappropriate contact with him. On Jan. 16, the teenager was interviewed by detectives where the victim disclosed having numerous sexual encounters with the teacher in both Davidsonville and Edgewater.

Officers arrested Martin Feb. 5 without incident and charged her with five counts of sex abuse of a minor, eight counts of fourth-degree sex offense involving a person in the position of authority and two counts of perverted practice.

"The charges against Meredith Martin sicken me to my core and besmirch the incredible work teachers across our county do with children every single day. We place teachers in positions of responsibility and as a society we entrust to them the most precious thing we have: our children," said Arlotto in a statement. "No one who acts in the way in which Meredith Martin has been accused of acting should be around any children in any school."

School officials removed Martin from her teaching position last year as soon as they were told of the first allegation; she was working since then in a position in which she has had no contact with children. Arlotto said the district will continue to cooperate with law enforcement, and make decisions on Martin's employment after the legal matters are settled.

South River High School Principal William T. Myers wrote a letter to parents of students at the school providing brief details and asking that parents speak with their children about the incident and to report any information they may glean. Myers also encouraged parents to remind students that they should report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable to an adult. Safety concerns can be addressed through the Student Safety Hotline at 877-676-9854 that can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"This is a difficult situation for everyone here at South River. I understand the emotions that you are likely feeling as you digest this information. I ask you to keep in mind that a child is at the center of this matter. I believe it is crucial to respect the impact this matter has had and continues to have on him and his family," Myers wrote.

Anne Arundel County Police asks that any other victims or anyone with information about these incidents contact the Anne Arundel County Child Abuse Unit at 410-222-4733. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are asked to contact the Anne Arundel County Tip Line at 410-222-4700 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7-LOCKUP (866-756-2587).