Connecticut police have charged a middle school guidance counselor for sexually assaulting a youngster in her office and then sending the victim naked images.
The 47-year-old Luisa Melchionne was fired from her position at Nathan Hale Middle School after being arrested on July 11, according to a news release from the Norwalk Police Department.
Two counts of endangering a minor’s safety and second-degree sexual assault are against her, according to the police. “These are just accusations,” her criminal defense attorney Mark Sherman told McClatchy News on July 11.
“What we do know is that these charges are being brought against a devoted wife and mother who has dedicated over 20 years to her profession, and it’s going to take some time to investigate this case,” he said.
Melchionne was allegedly accused of “having an inappropriate relationship with a student” on April 30, as per the police. An affidavit read by The Norwalk Hour said that Melchionne’s acquaintance made the complaint after discovering what she described as “appealing sexual” text conversations between Melchionne and a student on her phone.
According to the newspaper’s reporting based on the affidavit, the friend allegedly provided police with 17 screenshots depicting sexual messages.
According to News 12 Connecticut, the messages revealed that Melchionne had sent the student naked images and had also sent him money to use for meals and Uber rides. According to an affidavit provided online by WFSB, the victim informed detectives in an interview that he and Melchionne started “a relationship” in the spring of the victim’s seventh-grade year in 2023.
It was further stated in the affidavit that “he would receive ‘lap dances,'” referring to Melchionne’s repeated sexual assaults on him at her workplace.
According to a statement provided by Norwalk Public Schools to McClatchy News on July 11, the district is “is cooperating with the Norwalk Police Department’s investigation and has no further comment.” The statement continued, “the safety of our students is our first concern.” The district announced that Melchionne’s employment as a school counselor came to an end on June 14.
The police have stated that she is currently being held on a bond of $500,000.
Source: Miami Herald News