MCCALMONT TOWNSHIP – On Friday an arrest warrant was issued for a former school teacher who has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a teen.
Megan R. Bartley, 29, of Anita has been charged with institutional sexual assault, F3, 15 counts; corruption of minors, F3, 20 counts; and unlawful contact with a minor, F3, 20 counts. She was taken into custody and to the Jefferson County Jail for arraignment.
According to the report, the investigation was initiated after employees at Soaring Heights School in DuBois utilized the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ ChildLine and Abuse Registry.
The ChildLine service is a part of a mandated statewide protective services program. It’s designed to accept child abuse referrals and general child well-being concerns. Once collected, information is transferred to the appropriate police agency.
In this case, the ChildLine referral was transferred to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and subsequently to the Punxsutawney-based state police for the purposes of an investigation.
Bartley, a former teacher, allegedly engaged in an intimate relationship with the victim, a 17-year-old boy, and it was also sexual in nature. It was ongoing prior to Bartley’s dismissal from the school.
State police say further investigation revealed Bartley’s relationship with the victim had been occurring over several months at a Spruce Street residence in McCalmont Township, Jefferson County.
Upon further investigation, it was found that a 41-year-old DeLancey woman, Bridget A. Kruzelak, was aware and allowed the relationship. She’s been charged with endangering the welfare of children, M1.
