A javelin coach in Pennsylvania has been charged with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy with whom she was romantically involved.
Prosecutors say Hannah Marth was arrested after police discovered she had a sexual relationship with a Northampton Area High School track and field teen athlete.
According to prosecutors, the 26-year-old coach texted the victim at 2 a.m. in May 2021 and invited him to her home, where the two allegedly had sxx.
According to a news release from the Northampton district attorney’s office, Marth was the javelin coach at the time, and the student was an active member of the track and field program.
Prosecutors said she admitted to authorities that she and the student were romantically involved in May 2021.
According to the district attorney’s office, the victim told police that he and Marth were in a relationship that lasted until last October.
Marth has been charged with third-degree felony institutional sexual assault and sexual assault by a sports official.
“A trusted relationship between a student-athlete, an athlete’s parent, and a coach can be a vulnerable one,” said District Attorney Terence Houck. “An abuse of that relationship shows a coach’s blatant disregard for the well-being of those she or he coached, and above all — the law.
“This defendant defied that trust when she committed this alleged crime against the victim.”
Easton Superintendent David Piperato said in a statement that the school where she teaches was informed of the arrest and that they were cooperating with authorities “and will take all necessary action to ensure the safety of our students,” according to the newspaper.
She was arraigned on Thursday afternoon, April 13, and released on $75,000 unsecured bail.