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Christopher P. Marbaix, 59, was teaching as a co-founder of Robot Revolution on Maple Avenue in Summit when he inappropriately touched three students ages 12 to 15 outside their clothing, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Summit Police Chief Andrew Bartolotti said Thursday in a joint release.
The abuse occurred multiple times between December 2016 and September 2018, authorities said.
Marbaix was arrested Thursday morning and charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13, three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact with a child.
The arrest comes as the result of a joint investigation by the Summit Police Department and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Children seeking to learn and expand their knowledge were entrusted to this defendant,” Ruotolo said. “His alleged actions constitute a betrayal of that trust. These charges...reflect law enforcement’s shared commitment to protecting the children of Union County.”
Robot Revolution officials gave the following statement in response to Marbaix’s arrest:
“We are writing this difficult note in response to today's news. Ex-partner Chris Marbaix who has not been with us for two years is being prosecuted for inappropriate behavior while he was with Robot Revolution. Robot Revolution took an immediate and proactive approach to these events in 2018 and although difficult continued forward while severing all ties with Mr. Marbaix. Davin Czukoski, the other partner reinvented the program, made strict policies and procedures, instituted numerous safety measures, and brought on his wife Bonnie Lieberman Czukoski as his new partner.”
“At Robot Revolution children's safety is the most important thing to us. We want every single child who comes to our facility to have the best experience possible. We encourage learning as well as building confidence in our students.”
Marbaix is scheduled to appear in Union County Superior Court.
Anyone with information about similar incidents is asked to contact Summit Police Detective Sgt. Ryan Peters at 908-273-5871.
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