Authorities arrested a Connecticut guidance counselor on Thursday after he allegedly gave a lap dance to a 13-year-old girl and sent her nude photos.
Authorities arrested Luisa Melchionne, a 47-year-old middle school guidance counselor, on suspicion of sending nude photos to a 13-year-old girl and giving her a “lap dance.” according to The Norwalk Police Department was notified. The incident occurred inside her office, where she allegedly sexually abused the girl. The mother of three was arrested on suspicion of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of endangering injury to a minor.
A 47-year-old Connecticut guidance counselor sent nude photos to a 13-year-old male student and gave him a lap dance, police say https://t.co/atAsYB1Brp pic.twitter.com/fd9IyFNQUe
— New York Post (@nypost) July 11, 2024
The investigation into Melchionne began when a male friend who borrowed her phone discovered lewd texts and photos exchanged between Melchionne and the student, the New York Post reported. reportThese discoveries prompted him to contact police, which reportedly included nude photos sent to the boy and records of financial transactions for Uber rides, food and cash gifts.
The school also released a statement about the incident: “The safety of our students is our primary concern. Luisa Melchionne is no longer employed by Norwalk Public Schools,” the school said in a statement. according to To NBC Connecticut. (Related article: Taekwondo instructor's family rescues woman from suspected sexual assaulter)
According to the New York Post, Melchionne's defense team, led by attorney Mark Sherman, has argued for the presumption of innocence, pointing to her long history as an educator.
“Luisa still has full rights to the presumption of innocence,” Sherman told the New York Post. “These are simply accusations. What we know is that these accusations were made against a devoted wife and mother who dedicated herself to her profession for over 21 years, and the investigation into this case will take some time.”
According to the New York Post, while the legal process continues, Melchionne has been released on $500,000 bail and is under house arrest with certain restrictions on contact with minors, with the exception of his own children.
