The family handbook for KIPP Washington Heights Middle School thanks parents for “entrusting your children with us.”

Daniris Rodriguez says that is exactly what she did, until her 13-year-old daughter came to her scared, with allegations against the principal of her school.

“I was devastated because my daughter has been going to KIPP for years, and when you take your kids to school, you’re leaving them where trustworthy people are. That was not the case,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez, speaking exclusively with NY1, says her daughter reported Eric Cato to the school. She describes what she believes happened to her daughter as grooming.

Her daughter told NY1 she spoke up because she believed other children were being targeted too.

“I’m very proud of her for speaking up and being a voice for the kids who don’t have a voice, that were shy, that were afraid, that were scared to even tell their parents,” Rodriguez said.

Now Cato is facing eight criminal counts. A Manhattan grand jury alleges sexual contact involving two children and endangerment involving three, with alleged conduct dating back to October 2024.

Rodriguez says her daughter told the school about Cato, but says he later returned, something we NY1 was unable to confirm.

“I didn’t see it right there in the moment to be honest, but you know there were moments when I asked her, but she wasn’t ready to speak to me, and I respect that, but when she did, I was there for her supporting her every step of the way,” Rodriguez said.

The school has confronted sexual abuse allegations before. In 2022, KIPP NYC confirmed a teacher was fired in a separate case and the principal at the time was fired over his handling of it.

“It’s a pattern. Exactly. They have to do better background checks, research on the people they’re hiring, because this is our future,” Rodriguez said.

KIPP NYC calls the allegations against Cato “deeply alarming,” says he is no longer at the school, and says it remains focused on student privacy and safety.

Rodriguez says her daughter now struggles with anxiety and panic attacks.

“I want accountability. I want justice for my daughter,” Rodriguez said.

NY1 reached out to Cato’s defense attorney’s office regarding the indictment, but has not heard back.