McKeesport Teacher's Aide Charged For Inappropriate Relationship With Students
MCKEESPORT (KDKA) - A teacher's aide in the McKeesport Area School District is facing several charges stemming from an inappropriate relationship with several male students.
Police were notified by the school district after staff members reported hearing student conversations about an employee engaging in sexual activities with other students.
That employee was later identified as 48-year-old Michelle Mellinger, a special education assistant.
According to the criminal complaint, police spoke with four males – ages 17, 17, 16 and 15.
Each told detectives that on numerous occasions Mellinger would coordinate meetings via texts, pick them up in her personal vehicle and take them to her White Oak apartment.
Paula Whisner lives in Mellinger's building. She was just getting to know her neighbor.
""Surprise, it's like shock. Unbelievable," said Whisner. "I have seen kids come in here that weren't her sons, teenage boys. I didn't think anything of it."
Mellinger was arrested and charged with multiple counts of institutional sexual assault, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse and corruption of minors.
The school district has issued the following statement:
The McKeesport Area School District became aware of allegations of possible inappropriate relations pertaining to a support staff employee in our district. We have completed all reporting required by all applicable laws, immediately turned the information over to the city and county law enforcement agencies, and will continue to work closely with them during the investigation.
Our administration takes this matter very seriously and we hold our employees to the highest standards for the protection of our students. The employee has been placed on leave pending an investigation and will have no contact with District students or access to District facilities.
It is important to note that that these scenarios do not define what McKeesport Area School District is about. Together we are McKeesport strong.
Mellinger is currently being lodged in the Allegheny County Jail.
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