Former middle school teacher accused of sending inappropriate texts to girl, 12

PITTSBURGH — A former Pittsburgh-area middle school teacher is facing a corruption of minor charge, police confirmed Wednesday evening.

Authorities said Cole McLaughlin, a former social studies teacher and assistant soccer coach at South Allegheny Middle School, was arraigned overnight.

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According to the criminal complaint, the charge is tied to inappropriate text messages that the 23-year-old sent using his phone and the apps Trivia Crack and Snapchat to a 12-year-old girl he taught.

Investigators said using the screen name "ruvido216,” McLaughlin texted the girl, “I just want you to be close to me. So badly. I love you so much,” and later added, "I want you to do whatever feels right.”

Once confronted by detectives, McLaughlin also allegedly admitted to hugging the girl multiple times in his classroom and kissing her on two occasions, according to the criminal complaint.

"My middle school child actually was just telling me about it. She couldn't believe it was going on. She said that was her favorite teacher,” said parent Georgina Humphries.

Parents were notified late Wednesday afternoon by the district after McLaughlin was arrested.

In a statement, South Allegheny School District officials said McLaughlin was no longer a school employee as of Tuesday afternoon.

“(He) did not report for work on Monday, was not permitted to report for work yesterday and has had no contact with any students or any teaching presence in any school buildings since the school district first became aware of alleged misconduct,” the statement read in part.

District officials also said that an “exhaustive background check and interview process” prior to McLaughlin’s hiring in August 2014 gave no indication that he would engage in any misconduct with a student.

McLaughlin is being held at the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

WPXI