A local math teacher and mother is accused of sending sexual photos and videos to one of her students, who she admitted to having sex with.
Lower Moreland High School math teacher Erica Ann Ginnetti, 33, turned herself in Friday morning after allegations arose earlier this month that the married mother of three had sex with a 17-year-old male student over the summer.
According to Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, the relationship between Ginnetti and the student began in May when Ginnetti approached the boy at prom and asked him if he would like to work out at her gym. A few days later the boy allegedly emailed Ginnetti and she replied with her cell phone number.
Ferman said that after that the two communicated on a daily basis over several months. During that time, investigators say that Ginnetti sent a series of sexually-charged messages, including videos of herself undressing and performing sex acts on herself as well as “sexually-suggestive” photos of Ginnetti in her underwear and a bikini.
Investigators say the two met up at a coffee shop in July in Northeast Philadelphia. From there they went to a nearby industrial park and had sex in Ginnetti's car, according to the police report. Ginnetti then drove the teen back to the coffee shop, investigators say, and asked him not to tell anyone about the incident.
According to investigators, Ginnetti admitted to having sex with the teenage boy.
Lower Moreland police said they were tipped off last Wednesday via a phone line used for reporting possible abuses against children. The caller left a message saying they'd overhead students at the school talking about "inappropriate pictures of the minor and the teacher doing 'sexual things.'" Police then approached the 17-year-old who they say gave them a detailed account of how the relationship began and then evolved.
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Ginnetti was arraigned Friday morning on 13 counts including sexual assault of a student, corruption of minors and disseminating obscene materials to a minor and released after posting $50,000 unsecured bail, according to court records.
As part of her bail conditions, Ginnetti is not permitted to have contact with any children except for her own kids -- ages 8, 11 and 14. She also must surrender her passport and will be electronically monitored.
According to her teaching page, Ginnetti taught AP Calculus, AP Statistics, Calculus and Honor Algebra at Lower Moreland.
In a statement, Lower Moreland Township School District Superintendent Dr. Marykay Feeley said that "as soon as the District became aware of the allegation, the teacher was placed on administrative leave."
"We are now moving swiftly to terminate her employment and will take all steps necessary to ensure the teacher does not teach again."
