COURT HOUSE – A Woodbine resident has been accused of physically abusing a juvenile student at the Cape May County Special Services School District, where he is employed as a teacher.

Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland and Cape May County Sheriff Robert Nolan announced the arrest of Gary Murray, 55, following an investigation that began in June.

The investigation was initiated by the Cape May County Sheriff’s Department and Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit. The incident occurred June 1, according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland.

As a result of the investigation, Murray was charged, Aug. 21, with one count of fourth-degree child abuse and neglect and one count of simple assault, a disorderly persons offense. Murray was processed on the listed charges and released on a summons.

A person convicted of a fourth-degree crime is subject to a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months in New Jersey state prison.

Anyone with additional information on this investigation is asked to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 609-465-1135.