Trial begins for man accused of sexual abuse at Columbia school for the deaf

The trial of the Baltimore County man accused of sexually abusing seven young female students at the Maryland School for the Deaf in Columbia began in Howard County Circuit Court Monday.

Clarence Cepheus Taylor, 38, of the 2500 block of Hallam Court in Baltimore County, is accused of sexually abusing seven girls between the ages of 10 and 13 while working at the overnight school, which is located in the 8100 block of Old Montgomery Road.

Taylor, who was a dorm aide working the evening shift during the time the alleged incidents have been reported to have occurred, was arrested in December after three victims came forward. He was indicted in January on seven counts of sex abuse of a minor and three child porn counts after four more victims came forward, according to court documents.

In a statement following Taylor's indictment, his defense attorney Brandon Mead said the charge were "without merit" and that Taylor "adamantly denies" them.

Jury selection commenced Monday morning, with opening statements expected to occur on Tuesday, according to a spokesman for the State's Attorney's Office.

Trial begins for man accused of sexual abuse at Columbia school for the deaf

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