Substitute Teacher Jack Gill Arrested on Sex Assault Charges in Branford, Hamden

Branford Substitute Teacher Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges Following Hamden Case

A New Haven man who worked as a substitute teacher at two Connecticut elementary schools faces sexual assault charges in both municipalities after allegedly making inappropriate contact with students at each school.

Jack N. Gill, 24, of New Haven, was arrested by Branford police on April 2, 2026, on charges of fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. The charges stem from an incident at Mary T. Murphy Elementary School in Branford on January 20, 2026 — the only day Gill ever worked in the Branford school district. Gill had been placed as a substitute library teacher through Kelly Services, an outsourced staffing agency contracted by the district.

The Branford arrest followed a separate arrest in Hamden. On March 27, 2026, Hamden police charged Gill with three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, two counts of illegal sexual contact with a victim under the age of 16, and one count of risk of injury to a child, in connection with incidents that occurred at Shepherd Glen Elementary School in Hamden during December 2025. Gill had also been placed at Shepherd Glen through an outsourced staffing arrangement.

Arrests Across Two Districts

The Hamden arrest came first. On March 27, Hamden police charged Gill with six counts related to the Shepherd Glen incidents. The Hamden superintendent subsequently notified the school community.

Branford Public Schools and the Branford Police Department then jointly notified families about the Branford-specific allegations on April 2, 2026 — the same day Branford police executed their arrest warrant. School officials informed parents that the substitute had worked in the district only once, on January 20, 2026, making the Branford incident isolated to a single day.

Gill was released after posting $75,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court on April 14, 2026. Branford police are requesting that anyone with information about Gill's conduct contact the department at 203-481-4241.

Outsourced Staffing and Vetting Questions

The fact that Gill was placed through Kelly Services — an outside staffing contractor — rather than hired directly by either district raises questions about how substitute educators are vetted before entering classrooms. Both Branford and Hamden used outsourced arrangements that brought Gill into their schools.

Public school districts in Connecticut increasingly rely on third-party staffing agencies to address chronic substitute teacher shortages. The protocols for background checks and screening under these arrangements vary by contractor. Branford school officials have not publicly addressed what vetting Kelly Services performed on Gill before placing him in the district, or whether the district had any interaction with him beyond the single January 20 assignment.

The delayed public notification — Branford families were not informed until April 2, nearly two and a half months after the January 20 incident — has also raised questions about disclosure timelines between school districts and law enforcement in cases involving school staff.

Charges Under Connecticut Law

Fourth-degree sexual assault in Connecticut involves sexual contact committed without consent or with a minor below the age of consent, and does not require force. Risk of injury to a child is a separate felony that covers conduct threatening the welfare of a minor.

Both charges Gill faces in Branford carry serious penalties under Connecticut law. Combined with the six Hamden charges, Gill faces an extensive docket as both cases proceed through New Haven Superior Court.

The Branford investigation remains ongoing as of early April 2026. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional victims or additional charges in either jurisdiction.

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