A 47-year-old Connecticut teacher has been arrested after being accused of performing sexual acts and erotic dances with a 13-year-old boy.
Luisa Melchionne, a married guidance counselor at Nathan Hale High School, was arrested after an investigation revealed inappropriate messages and cash transfers between her and the high school student.
Melchionne, who has children of her own, has been charged with second-degree sexual assault and two counts of risk of injury to a minor.
Police said they received an anonymous call that the accused was having an inappropriate relationship with a student in early April.
Shortly after, they received 17 screenshots of alleged text messages containing explicit photos and money transactions between Melchionne and the student.
Luisa Melchionne, a school counselor, was arrested after an investigation revealed inappropriate messages and cash transfers between her and the high school student.
According to the arrest report, the relationship began when the boy was in seventh grade and allegedly ended when he changed schools.
During the investigation, detectives discovered that the accused performed sexual acts, erotic dances in her office and asked the girl for nude photographs.
He would also sometimes give her money for ‘Uber rides and food’ through Apple Pay, most notably giving her $100 one Christmas.
According to the report, Melchionne only used her office phone to communicate with the girl because she feared her husband would catch her if she used his.
But the defendant’s lawyer has denied all these accusations and said that, despite their seriousness, she has the right to the “presumption of innocence.”
During the investigation, detectives discovered that the defendant was performing sexual acts, erotic dances in her office at Nathan Hale High School and requesting nude photographs of the girl.
‘Luisa still has the right to the presumption of innocence. These are just accusations.
‘What we do know is that these charges are being brought against a devoted wife and mother who has dedicated more than 20 years to her profession, and it will take some time to investigate this case.’
In a statement, Norwalk Public Schools said the safety of its students is its first concern.
“Norwalk Public Schools is cooperating with the Norwalk Police Department’s investigation and has no further comment,” said district spokeswoman Emily Morgan.
She is being held on $500,000 bail and has since resigned from the school.