McKeesport Area School District janitor accused of sexually abusing children

MCKEESPORT, Pa. — A McKeesport Area School District employee accused of sexually abusing children was arrested and charged Friday, police said.

William Mellinger, 49, is accused of repeatedly molesting three young girls. Police said the abuse happened at his friend’s house and at Mellinger’s pool behind his home in White Oak.

School district officials acknowledged the arrest of Mellinger Thursday, issuing the following statement:

"The McKeesport Area School District became aware of an arrest of a support staff employee in our district. The employee has been inactive for over a year, and the district will ensure he will have no contact with district students or access to district facilities. Our administration takes this matter very seriously, and we hold our employees to the highest standards for the protection of our students."

Channel 11 News learned that Mellinger had worked as a custodian in the school district.

William Mellinger’s ex-wife, Michelle Mellinger, also worked for the McKeesport Area School District as a teacher’s assistant. Last October, she was arrested for allegedly having sex with four teenagers, who were all students at Mckeesport.

News of her ex-husband’s arrest came as a surprise to many McKeesport parents, who spoke with Channel 11 News on Friday.

“Its kind a scary for me, being as I got six kids out here myself. This is the first I'm hearing about it, and that's kind of disturbing,” parent Anthony Daniels said.

William Mellinger faces a list of charges, including indecent assault, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with minors.

Both Mellingers remain in the county jail.

Michelle Mellinger’s trial is set to begin next week.

Cox Media Group