Ally_Kat
03-16-2004, 11:45 PM
Teacher charged with misconduct
BY HERBERT LOWE
http://www.nynewsday.com/media/photo/2004-03/11847025.jpg
A Queens parochial high school teacher was arraigned Tuesday on charges of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl who was her student, authorities said.
Cheryl Reyna, 32, a Spanish teacher at Martin Luther High School in Maspeth, was arrested on Monday at her Queens home at 60-17 60th Place, authorities said.
"The defendant is accused of taking advantage of her friendship with the victim's family, betraying the innocence of the child and endangering her moral welfare," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement.
A teacher at the Lutheran parochial school for seven years, Reyna allegedly had sex with her student repeatedly at both of their homes between Aug. 2 and Oct. 7, officials said.
"She's denying all the charges and we're going to fight it," said Reyna's attorney, Richard Leff.
A law-enforcement source said the girl's mother "saw signs" and spoke of her suspicions to the victim's godparents.
"When the godparents confronted the girl, she admitted it," the source said.
Reyna was charged with third-degree criminal sexual act, sexual misconduct, endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree sexual abuse. If convicted, she faces up to four years in prison.
Reyna was freed on $5,000 bail set by Queens Criminal Court Judge Lenore Gerald. Her next court date is March 29.
The high school released a statement saying Reyna has been suspended pending the outcome of the case and that it is cooperating fully with authorities.
"Our prayers for healing go out to the those involved," the statement said.
"There's no good ending here," Leff said. "Even if these charges are thrown out, the woman's been devastated. It's sad for everybody."
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.
BY HERBERT LOWE
http://www.nynewsday.com/media/photo/2004-03/11847025.jpg
A Queens parochial high school teacher was arraigned Tuesday on charges of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl who was her student, authorities said.
Cheryl Reyna, 32, a Spanish teacher at Martin Luther High School in Maspeth, was arrested on Monday at her Queens home at 60-17 60th Place, authorities said.
"The defendant is accused of taking advantage of her friendship with the victim's family, betraying the innocence of the child and endangering her moral welfare," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement.
A teacher at the Lutheran parochial school for seven years, Reyna allegedly had sex with her student repeatedly at both of their homes between Aug. 2 and Oct. 7, officials said.
"She's denying all the charges and we're going to fight it," said Reyna's attorney, Richard Leff.
A law-enforcement source said the girl's mother "saw signs" and spoke of her suspicions to the victim's godparents.
"When the godparents confronted the girl, she admitted it," the source said.
Reyna was charged with third-degree criminal sexual act, sexual misconduct, endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree sexual abuse. If convicted, she faces up to four years in prison.
Reyna was freed on $5,000 bail set by Queens Criminal Court Judge Lenore Gerald. Her next court date is March 29.
The high school released a statement saying Reyna has been suspended pending the outcome of the case and that it is cooperating fully with authorities.
"Our prayers for healing go out to the those involved," the statement said.
"There's no good ending here," Leff said. "Even if these charges are thrown out, the woman's been devastated. It's sad for everybody."
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.