A sex abuse trial against a third-grade teacher at Severna Park Elementary School is scheduled to begin Dec. 3, though the volume of evidence in the case may delay the start date.

Matthew Schlegel, 44, is accused of touching eight of his female students between 2022 and 2024. In court documents, one girl said she thought Schlegel was a “doctor in disguise” because of how often he had touched her.

Though he was removed “indefinitely” from his classroom position in March, once the school system heard the first allegation, Schlegel was not arrested until May.

In that time, Child Protective Services conducted interviews with the alleged victims, as well as four of their classmates who said they both witnessed inappropriate behavior and had their own uncomfortable experiences with Schlegel.

In their conversations, the students described Schlegel’s class as one that favored the girls over the boys.

According to court filings, girls were often invited to the teacher’s desk, where he kept children’s books, and sometimes the students were placed on his lap. There, they said they were touched by pencils and fingers both in and out of their clothes. Boys would stay at their own tables and were helped from across the room.

The kids also told investigators Schlegel would give out prizes and candy to students after they’d earned a certain number of points. Sometimes, girls would be given a treat before earning them, they said.

In their summaries of the interviews, prosecutors wrote that some of the girls would talk to one another about their experiences, telling themselves they would be okay and “they would get through it.” Others only told their parents.

Many said they were touched when receiving help on a math question at his desk or when he crouched down to theirs. Other times, girls were touched when they went to the bathroom, police said.

Defense attorney Peter O’Neill declined to comment.

Since his arrest, Schlegel’s family and a large group of supporters have attended his court appearances. Relatives, family friends, neighbors, a former coworker and a former student submitted letters to the court in May attesting to his character.

Many of the alleged victims described Schlegel as a nice teacher and one, though shocked when touched, said she didn’t want to “make him feel bad” by telling him she was uncomfortable.

During a hearing Friday morning in Anne Arundel Circuit Court, defense attorney Peter O’Neill said he and attorney Patrick Seidel were still waiting to receive and review evidence in the case. Some of the material from the Department of Human Services is so “voluminous” that a production deadline was missed, he said, though prosecutors told the court the department was close to finishing its work.

Even if the defense receives everything they are entitled to, O’Neill said the start of trial may push past Dec. 3 and beyond Dec. 7, when a trial would usually have to begin under the Hicks rule. In Maryland, a defendant is entitled to a trial within 180 days of their counsel’s first appearance, though that right can be waived under certain circumstances.

O’Neill told McCormack there are nearly 50 hours of interviews. Additionally, a representative from the Board of Education turned in folders of unspecified records to the court Friday. The school system does not comment on active litigation, said spokesperson Bob Mosier.

According to Assistant State’s Attorney Anastasia Prigge, the trial is expected to take two weeks.

Defense counsel also told McCormack that their team had made multiple requests to have a laptop returned to Schlegel’s family after a forensic examination reported no issues with it. He also said a folder containing attorney-client information was seized during a search of his Severna Park home.

Less than a month after his arrest, Schlegel was indicted on 55 charges, including 11 counts of child sex abuse and 18 counts of fourth-degree sex offense — a charge often levied against a person in a position of authority.

Another hearing between Anne Arundel Circuit Judge Stacy McCormack to discuss discovery issues is set for Sept. 13.

Though Schlegel has been arrested, Child Abuse Unit detectives are asking anyone with information on this or other potential cases to call 410-222-4733. Anonymous tips may also be left on the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line at 410-222-4700.

Maryland law states evidence occurring before or after the offense can be admitted so long as it is introduced at least 90 days before trial. As of Thursday, a trial date has not been set.