Hannah Marth: Pennsylvania javelin coach arrested for having sex with 17-year-old student
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA: A javelin coach, 26, was charged with institutional sexual assault and sexual assault by a sports administrator after allegedly engaging in a sexual connection with a 17-year-old male student at a Pennsylvania school. The Northampton County District Attorney's office stated in a release that Hannah Marth allegedly sent the youngster a text on May 22, 2021, at around 2 am, inviting him to her home and initiating sexual contact.
Coaches have occasionally been arrested in the past on suspicion of sexual battery. Jenn Hawkins, 45, an Oklahoma cheerleading coach who had been physically intimate with her 16-year-old daughter's former boyfriend more than 300 times was arrested on March 8, according to a statement released. On October 13, Ashley Rison, a 31-year-old softball coach from Ohio, entered a guilty plea to numerous counts of sexual battery in a case involving a 17-year-old student.
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Who is Hannah Marth?
Prosecutors claim that Marth was arrested when police discovered that she had sexual contact with the track and field athlete from Northampton Area High School. She served as the javelin coach when the student was an active member of the track and field team. Prosecutors claimed that she admitted to the authorities that she had a romantic relationship with the student in May 2021. The district attorney's office reported that the victim admitted to authorities that he and Marth had been dating up until last October.
What are the charges against Marth?
Marth has been charged with two third-degree felonies, institutional sexual assault and sexual assault by a sports official, as per New York Post. "A trusted relationship between a student-athlete, an athlete’s parent, and a coach can be a vulnerable one," stated District Attorney Terence Houck. "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," he added.
He further stated, "This defendant defied that trust when she committed this alleged crime against the victim." According to The Morning Call, Marth is a teacher in the Easton Area School District. The school where she works was informed of the arrest, according to Easton Superintendent David Piperato, and was cooperating with law enforcement. He added that the school "will take all necessary action to ensure the safety of our students." She allegedly appeared in court on Thursday and was released on a $75,000 unsecured bail.
What is 'institutional sexual assault' in Pennsylvania?
The term "institutional sexual assault" refers especially to sexual contact between two people who are in a specific relationship. Punishments for Pennsylvania Institutional Sexual Assault can include, jail or prison for up to 7 years and a fine from $2,500 to $15,000, as per Manchester and Associates.