NORTH SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Emotionless and wordless, Alaina Marshall, 29, walked into a Beaver County Magistrate’s Office Wednesday morning.
It came minutes after North Sewickley Police filed nearly 40 criminal charges for her alleged relationship with a Riverside High School student. Marshall was his swim coach and police said all the sexual relations happened on school grounds.
“Parents send their students to school, they have them in sports programs and think they are safe and not thinking inappropriate relations are happening, and it’s even more troubling when you think about the power dynamics,” Beaver County DA Nate Bible said.
According to the criminal complaint, Marshall, who works as a contracted school therapist in Butler County, had this alleged relationship for two years, starting when the teen was just 16. It only came to light now when a ChildLine was reported.
“The young man was interviewed and what the ChildLine was reporting did actually happen. He said in his sophomore year he said he was having a difficult time with a breakup with his girlfriend and he decided to talk with her because he knew she was a therapist,” North Sewickley Township Police Chief Jeff Becze said.
In fact, police said the first sexual encounter happened at Blackhawk High School after a swim event.
Riverside Superintendent Bret Trotta released the following statement to Channel 11.
“The Riverside Administration was informed that a former coach was arrested this morning. It is our understanding that the former employee was allegedly involved in misconduct involving a high school student-athlete. The District assures the community that the individual is prohibited from entering district property. As this is a police investigation, we cannot provide further details now. We encourage anyone with information to contact the North Sewickley Police Department at 724-843-8118 or the Safe2Say (1-844-723-2729) Anonymous Tip Line.
An internal review confirms that all state and local requirements relating to background and pre-employment checks were completed for this individual. The safety and well-being of our students are our top priority, and we remain committed to supporting our Riverside students and families.”
As for Marshall’s job as a contracted school therapist, her employer, Glade Run Lutheran Services, told Channel 11 she is no longer employed. Seneca Valley School District is where Marshall was previously contracted and a district spokesperson released the following statement.
“Glade Run, a third-party contractor for individualized therapy services, has informed Seneca Valley that Alaina Marshall, a Glade Run employee, has been placed on leave arising from charges that are unrelated to Seneca Valley School District. While Ms. Marshall was previously assigned to provide services within the district, she is not presently working in any capacity at Seneca Valley.”
Marshall is being held in the Beaver County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
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