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Steubenville Catholic teacher accused of sexual battery

STEUBENVILLE — A Steubenville Catholic Central teacher is on administrative leave after allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old student, authorities reported Friday.

Corrissa McCalister, 21, who also serves as Central’s head cross country coach and assistant track coach, was charged Friday with two counts of sexual battery in Harrison County, where the alleged sexual contact occurred, Prosecutor Lauren Knight confirmed.

McCalister, arraigned by Harrison County Court Judge Mark Beetham in Cadiz, was released from jail after posting a $100,000 bond, Sheriff Joe Myers said.

Myers said McAlister was driving the juvenile home from a track meet at Edison Local High School March 30 when she stopped at the Harrison County fairgrounds in Cadiz and had sex with the child.

Myers said no other victims have come forward.

According to the Diocese of Steubenville, the mother of the alleged victim, a student at Catholic Central, notified the school of the allegations Wednesday, prompting Principal Thomas Costello to contact Diocese Superintendent Deacon Paul D. Word, notify civil authorities of the allegations and put McCalister on leave.

Faculty at both the high school and junior high also were notified of the allegations during an after-school meeting Friday, and parents of all high school and junior high students were briefed by e-mail.

“I am deeply saddened by news of the allegations, and I offer my prayers for healing for the victim and the victim’s family as well as the Catholic Central school community,” Steubenville Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton said, adding a Diocesan Response Team will be reaching out to the alleged victim’s family and the school community to provide support.

Based on the information that has been provided, the diocese says none of the allegations occurred on school grounds.

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