...By Gift BADEWO for TDPel Media.
Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault for Alleged Relationship with Student Athlete
Hannah Marth, a teacher in Pennsylvania’s Easton Area School District, has been charged with sexual assault after she allegedly formed a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student athlete whom she was coaching.
Court documents reveal that Marth invited the victim to her home at 2am in May 2021 and had sex with him.
The relationship reportedly lasted until October 2021.
The Easton Area School District, where Marth teaches, was made aware of the incident and has been cooperating with authorities.
Response from School Districts
The Northampton Area High School, where Marth was employed, immediately placed her on leave from her coaching responsibilities as soon as the allegations came to light.
The Easton Area School District Superintendent, David Piperato, said that the school is cooperating with authorities and will take necessary action to ensure the safety of their students.
The Northampton Area Schools Superintendent, Joseph Kovalchik, said that Marth was placed on leave from her coaching responsibilities when the allegations came to light.
Statements from District Attorneys
District Attorney Terence Houck stated that an abuse of trust between a coach and a student-athlete can be a vulnerable one.
An abuse of that relationship shows a coach’s blatant disregard for the well-being of those she or he coached and the law.
In this case, the defendant defied the trust of the victim when she committed the alleged crime against him.
Formal Charges and Bail
Marth appeared before a court on April 13, where she was formally charged with institutional sexual assault and sexual assault by a sports official.
Both charges are third-degree felonies.
She was freed on $75,000 (£60,000) unsecured bail.
