Middle school counselor sexually assaulted student, gave ‘lap dances,’ CT cops say
A middle school guidance counselor is accused of sexually assaulting one of her students inside her office and sending him nude photos, according to police in Connecticut.
Luisa Melchionne, 47, was arrested July 11 and has lost her job at Nathan Hale Middle School, the Norwalk Police Department said in a July 11 news release.
She’s charged with second-degree sexual assault and two counts of risk of injury to a minor, police said.
Her criminal defense attorney, Mark Sherman, told McClatchy News on July 11 that “these are just accusations.”
“What we do know is that these charges are being brought against a devoted wife and mother who has dedicated over 20 years to her profession, and it’s going to take some time to investigate this case,” he said.
On April 30, a complaint was made about Melchionne “having an inappropriate relationship with a student,” according to police.
The accusation was made by Melchionne’s friend, who saw text messages on her phone between her and a student that “appeared sexual,” according to an affidavit reviewed by The Norwalk Hour.
The friend shared 17 screenshots to investigators of explicit messages, the newspaper reported, citing the affidavit.
The messages showed Melchionne sent nude photos of herself to the student and sent him money for Uber rides and food, according to News 12 Connecticut.
After the victim was located, he told investigators in an interview that “a relationship” with Melchionne ‘began in the spring of his 7th grade year in 2023, the affidavit published online by WFSB says.
He also reported that Melchionne sexually assaulted him inside her office several times and that “he would receive ‘lap dances,’” according to the affidavit.
“The child stated that the door would be closed and the window blind would be pulled down for privacy,” the affidavit says.
Norwalk Public Schools said in a statement to McClatchy News on July 11 that “the safety of our students is our first concern” and that the district “is cooperating with the Norwalk Police Department’s investigation and has no further comment.”
Melchionne stopped working as a school counselor as of June 14, the district confirmed.
She is being held on a $500,000 bond, according to police.
This story was originally published July 11, 2024 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Middle school counselor sexually assaulted student, gave ‘lap dances,’ CT cops say."
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