Catholic School Teacher Charged with Sexually Abusing Student

KERO
April 4, 2014

http://www.turnto23.com/news/archbishop-curley-teacher-charged-with-sexually-abusing-student-040414

Lynette Trotta, a teacher at Archbishop Curley High School, is charged with sex abuse of a minor in connection with an allged sexual relationship with one of her male students.

A science teacher at Archbishop Curley High School has been suspended from the school and is facing criminal charges after allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with one of her students.

Lynette Trotta, 33, of the 3000 block of Oak Forest Drive in Parkville, is charged with sex abuse of a minor, sexual solicitation of a minor and fourth-degree sex offense by a person of authority.

Trotta has been a science teacher at the high school since 2007, the Archdiocese of Baltimore confirmed in a statement. The alleged abuse involved one of Trotta’s current students and took place during the current school year, according to the Archdiocese.

Trotta's male student told investigators she developed a personal interest in him in November 2013 and between December and January, allegedly pulled him out of class on a regular basis to spend "quality time" with her in her classroom and engage in sexual activity, according to police documents.

The student told police he went with Trotta following an after school activity and the two allegedly engaged in sexual activity in her car, police documents state.

In light of the charges, Trotta has been suspended from her role as teacher.

The school’s librarian, Annette Goodman, has also been suspended. Goodman learned of the allegation several weeks ago, ultimately reporting it this week, according to the Archdiocese.

“Maryland law and the policies of the Archdiocese and Archbishop Curley High School require that allegations of child abuse be reported to civil authorities and to the head of the school as soon as possible,” the statement from the Archdiocese reads.

The school is sending a letter to families of current students and recent graduates to let them know about the allegations and encourage anyone with information about this or any other possible abuse to reach out to the authorities.

The Archdiocese is offering counseling and pastoral care to the student community and those directly affected.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is urging catholic officials to fire, not just suspend, Trotta and Goodman.

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