Police: Village School teacher sexually assaulted female student

RADNOR TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- A teacher at the Village School in the Rosemont section of Radnor Township has been charged with the sexual assault of a student.

Police say 28-year-old Nina Scott of Downingtown had a relationship with a 16-year-old female student.

She's charged with nearly 70 counts of sex crimes.

That alleged relationship started in February 2016 and lasted eight months.

Scott taught at the Village, a school for girls with emotional and behavioral problems, many directed there by the courts.

"Some of the incidents or assaults actually occurred at the school's property, some unknown parks in the area, and also at her home, an apartment in Downingtown," said Radnor Police Lt. Christopher Flanagan.

"During a routine search of the student's room by another facility, they uncovered a journal written by the student and letters from the teacher to the student," said Detective Paul Trautmann, Downingtown Police Department.

The Village School has fired Scott. The victim has been transferred to another school.

At her arraignment, Scott's bail was set at $100,000, $10,000 cash. Her lawyer says they will mount a vigorous defense.

"Ms. Scott is presumed to be innocent, first and foremost, that's the most important thing. Right now we're in the process of reviewing the charges, reviewing the allegations, but it's also important to remember that allegations are proof of nothing. They're just allegations," said Mark Conte, lawyer.

Scott is the mother of a 2-year old. The court barred her from any contact with the alleged victim, and no contact with a minor without an adult present.

Police say they wanted to get the information out to the public in order to find out if there are any other victims.

"The only way I can describe what this teacher did is downright disgusting, and it just goes to show you that sometimes the vetting process has to be even more circumspect so you know the type of people we have surrounding our children," said Radnor Police Superintendent William Colarulo.

Late Wednesday, the Village School issued a statement, saying they have cooperated fully with this investigation.