Tutor Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student On Multiple Occasions

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A woman who was hired to help a teenager get ready for college is accused of sexually assaulting him on multiple occasions.

According to Allegheny County Police Detectives, the 16-year-old victim was in foster care and Ashley Price was working for a company called Great Lakes that was contracted by the Department of Human Services to help him with his studies last summer. It was during that time of educational mentoring that detectives said a sexual relationship began.

Police said 32-year-old Ashley Price, of Monroeville, was helping the boy study for his SATs and taking him to visit different colleges when they started having sex. Price was formally arraigned on charges of institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of a minor.

Attorney Stan Levenson represents Price.

"I really can't comment on the case yet because I just received the District Attorney's evidence this afternoon. Obviously, I haven't had a chance to review it," he said.

According to a criminal complaint, the victim told police he and Price became friends and "things got out of hand."

Detectives said Price and the 16-year-old boy had sexual relations on multiple occasions, including at her mother's house, his mother's house and his aunt's house.

"What I can tell you is that my client is a very nice, decent person. She is very upset about these charges," Levenson said.

According to police, the relationship started in the summer of 2017 and ended when the boy told his foster parents in December.

"Child abuse. It's not something that we talk about often. It's something that's hidden. Unfortunately, a lot of times, these crimes are caused by members of the family or someone that is close to the child," Detective Corinne Orchowski said.

She is one of the case investigators and talked with KDKA about how abuse victims should never hesitate to come forward.

"I mean, it's not too late. The statute of limitations have changed. Victims that are juveniles, they now have until they are 50 years old to report any type of sexual abuse," Orchowski said.

The case is scheduled for jury trial on July 9 with the Honorable Donna Jo McDaniel presiding.