Teacher caught by husband in 'sexual relationship' with 17-year-old student
A former high school choir teacher is facing criminal charges after her husband alerted police to an alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student.
Olivia Ortz was charged with sexual intercourse with a school student, unlawful contact with a minor for sexual offences, and criminal use of a communication facility last week before turning herself into police on Monday, local publications report.
The 26-year-old worked as choir director at Wilmington Area High School in the US state of Pennsylvania but has since resigned from her role.
Police were alerted to Ms Ortz’s alleged romantic relationship with the female student in April, after the teacher’s husband discovered messages on his wife’s iPad, according to court documents seen by Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
Ms Ortz allegedly admitted the messages were between her and a student, prompting her husband — a studio owner who has previously worked on productions at the same high school — to report the communication to the principal, the publication reports.
The pair then alerted the authorities.
During a subsequent interview, New Wilmington police claim the 17-year-old told them she was in a romantic relationship with Ms Ortz, who she called a “safe adult”.
She also allegedly admitted to spending the night at the teacher’s home when her husband was out of town, according to court documents.
The teenager said she had since returned to the home to “comfort” Ms Ortz after her husband revealed the alleged affair, police said, as reported by WPXI.
Second teacher accused of sex-related offences
After officers confiscated Ms Ortz’s phone and iPad, the teacher and student communicated over Spotify — sending more than 100 messages in just two days, ending on May 11, police claim.
The teenager allegedly admitted to their continued conversation, with court documents stating that she insisted the pair are in love, New Castle News reports.
Her dad discovered the communication and has since taken away her electronic devices.
Ms Ortz has been released on a $150,000 bond and is due back in court later this month.
She is the successor of the high school’s former band and music teacher Jonathan Priano, 37, who was accused in 2020 of having inappropriate relationships with female students, New Castle News reports.
He was charged with multiple counts of institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with minors, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children.
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