A Pennsylvania middle school guidance counsellor named Kelly Ann Schutte has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student in 2022. The accusations against Schutte include grooming the student and engaging in inappropriate activities with him over an extended period of time. She has been charged with institutional sexual assault and other crimes.
The alleged abuse was first brought to the attention of the Pennsylvania police in July when a family member of Schutte reportedly witnessed the counsellor and the student kissing inside her home. The relative intervened and instructed the boy to leave, prompting him to seek refuge behind a parked vehicle. In a state of panic, he called his parents for assistance.
The student disclosed to his parents that he had been involved in a romantic and sexual relationship with Schutte. His mother promptly contacted the authorities the following day. When interviewed by investigators, the student revealed that the inappropriate behavior began during a school bus ride after a class trip in the fall of 2022. Subsequently, Schutte frequently summoned him to her office, often disrupting his class time, and initiated communication through the school district’s digital platform.
As the school year concluded, the student stated that their interactions transitioned to Snapchat, and the relationship became more physically intimate. He disclosed that Schutte engaged in sexual contact with him multiple times in June and July of that year. The alleged abuse occurred both at Schutte’s residence, when the student’s family was away, and in her car.
In the course of their investigation, authorities discovered Schutte’s earrings at the student’s home, as well as messages and photos implicating the counselor. They also obtained a record of their communication and handwritten notes that corroborated the student’s account of their relationship.
Schutte turned herself in to the authorities on Thursday. She now faces charges of institutional sexual assault and other offenses. The case highlights the importance of vigilance in safeguarding students from potential harm and the responsibility of educational institutions to thoroughly vet their staff members.
