ONLY ON 11: Local special education teacher accused of inappropriate relationship with student

ELIZABETH TWP — Now-suspended Elizabeth Forward High School special education teacher Nicole Corson, 42, faces seven charges stemming from an alleged inappropriate -- and at times -- sexual relationship with a 16-year-old male student.

Only Channel 11 was there as Corson was arraigned Friday afternoon. She was read her charges which include: indecent assault,

institutional sexual assault and corruption of minors.

Elizabeth Township Police Chief Ken Honick said his department was first alerted to Corson’s alleged activity through a state tip line in December.

“The school district and its leadership team were extremely attentive to our requests, whether it be subpoenas or making witnesses available. They also were concerned,” he said.

That’s when Corson was initially placed on administrative leave by the school and police began a three-month investigation.

During that time, officers found that Corson allegedly sent the teen nude photos of herself and asked him to come to her house to “have fun,” promising sexual favors, according to arresting documents.

The boy never went to her house, according to police paperwork. But those documents do show that Corson allegedly touched the boy inappropriately on school property at least three different times, in addition to lengthy phone, FaceTime and Snapchat conversations before and after school and even on weekends.

“The complexity of this investigation required us to review hundreds of digital messages, multiple social media platforms, cellphone records, interviews with some students and staff, members of the community and it was just a very concerning case,” said Honick.

In a letter to parents Friday, school superintendent Dr. Todd Keruskin acknowledged the charges and reaffirmed that Corson is suspended, writing, “the safety of our students remains our top priority.”

That same message was echoed by Chief Honick.

“There’s no more important stakeholder in our township than our children and we want them to feel safe and protected while they’re in the school environment,” he said.

Corson is being held at the Allegheny County Jail on $200,000 bond.

She’s due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, March 16.

Sheriff’s deputies shot at by ATV riders in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood

©2022 Cox Media Group