News

New Brighton Area teacher accused of having sex with students

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A local teacher is accused of having sex with two of her students before the end of the school year.
 
Tiffany Leiseth, 26, of Moon Township, was a long-term substitute for the New Brighton Area School District.
 
According to police, Leiseth sent nude photos of herself to the two students days before graduation. The students, both 18 years old, told police they also had sex with her at her home in Moon Township.
 
Police said on the last day of school, the English teacher invited one of the students over and gave him beer.  The next day, police said a second victim went to Leiseth's home and they had sex.  The teenager told police Leiseth told him not to tell anyone.
 
The seniors hadn't graduated yet even though they were done with school.  Police said that's why Leiseth was charged with institutional sexual assault.
 
"Regardless of your age, whether you're an adult or not, if you're a high school student, a teacher cannot have sexual relations with you," said Moon Township Police Chief Leo McCarthy.
 
Leiseth's attorney didn't immediately return a call.
 
New Brighton School District officials released a statement Wednesday saying, "The New Brighton School District promptly reported the events detailed in the criminal complaint to law enforcement and other state agencies as soon as we were made aware. The district has provided our complete cooperation with all involved agencies in the matters that were reported and we will continue to do so through the completion of the case. Although we would like to provide further comment, we are unable to do so in light of pending litigation."

"The individual is no longer employed by the district and we are unable to make further comment as this is a personnel matter and law prohibits us from making comments on matters of personnel."
 
Some parents Channel 11 spoke with said they're glad to see police took action.
 
"Set the example for any other teachers or administrators that have any thoughts of doing anything like that.  You're going to be brought up on charges and prosecuted," said Howard Yellock.