A high school track-and-field coach is accused of sexually abusing a teenage athlete for more than a year, Lehigh Valley Live reports.
On Thursday, prosecutors in Northampton County announced that 26-year-old Hannah Marth has been charged with institutional sexual assault and sexual assault by a sports official.
Marth worked as a javelin coach at Northampton Area High School when she allegedly began a “sexual relationship” with the victim, a 17-year-old boy, in May 2021, according to the Morning Call.
Authorities allege that on May 22, 2021, Marth sent a text message to the victim around 2 a.m. inviting him to have sex with her at her home in Lehigh Township. At the residence, Marth allegedly “initiated sexual contact with the victim,” according to a press release from Northampton County District Attorney Terence Houck, the Morning Call reports.
It is not clear how police learned of the relationship, but when confronted by police, Marth confessed that she was romantically involved with the teen. The relationship allegedly lasted until October 2022, the teen told investigators.
“A trusted relationship between a student athlete, an athlete’s parent, and a coach can be a vulnerable one,” Houck said in the press release, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
“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.”
The now ex-coach has been relieved of her duties with the school district, which is conducting an internal investigation.
Marth was arraigned on April 13 and is being detained on $75,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 27.
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Feature Photo: Hannah Math/Police Handout
