Bucks DA: Teacher had sex with student, 14
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A Bucks County band teacher was charged Tuesday with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student three times during the 2012 school year, police said, twice on school property and once in a car near the home of the student's parents.
The District Attorney's Office said Bridgett Szychulski, 31, of Philadelphia, was a teacher at Lenape Middle School in Doylestown when she had a sexual relationship with the boy.
Szychulski, who has been suspended by Central Bucks School District while her criminal case plays out, was charged with deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, and related charges, according to court documents.
She was arraigned in front of District Judge Regina Armitage and released on $500,000 unsecured bail Tuesday afternoon, court documents said.
Szychulski, who most recently taught band at Central Bucks South High School, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. A message left with her attorney, William Goldman, was not returned.
Charging documents say that the boy, now 16, spoke with investigators Thursday and described a sexual relationship with Szychulski that occurred during the 2012 school year.
The boy allegedly told police that he and Szychulski "initially connected on a mental level," but that the relationship evolved into a sexual one, which included Szychulski sending the boy lewd picture text messages.
The boy allegedly told police that he and Szychulski had three sexual encounters in 2012: twice at Lenape Middle School, and once in Szychulski's car close to the boy's house.
The relationship ended at the conclusion of the 2012 school year, documents say.
In July of this year, the boy allegedly texted Szychulski to say he had told a friend about their past encounters.
The criminal investigation began last week after an anonymous tipster reported allegations of misconduct to the Pennsylvania Child Abuse Hotline, according to a statement from the Central Bucks School District.
The district then alerted the District Attorney's Office, and the boy was interviewed.
On Friday, Szychulski was suspended by Central Bucks superintendent David Weitzel, who also banned her from contacting students or appearing on district property while her case is pending, according to a letter sent to district parents.
The office of Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler said anyone who may have had "inappropriate contact" with Szychulski should call Det. Mark Zielinski at 215-348-6629.
Staff writer Joseph Gambardello contributed to this report.