Photo of Heather Kennedy from Nassau County DA's office.
Posted: Tuesday, 22 July 2008 1:27PM
Ex-Wantagh Teacher Faces New Sex Charges
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (AP) -- A former teacher who admitted having sex with a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on rape and other charges after she continued the liaisons in violation of a court order, prosecutors said.
Heather Kennedy, 25, a former Wantagh High School math teacher, pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Tuesday on charges of third-degree rape, committing a criminal sexual act, criminal contempt and endangering the welfare of a minor.
Kennedy's attorney, Joseph Carbone, declined to comment on the charges.
Kennedy was first arrested in March on charges of having sex with the teenager in the parking lot of a neighboring high school. The boy's father called police the next day after his son told him why he was late getting home.
Wantagh schools Superintendent Carl Bonuso said at the time that Kennedy, who had been a teacher for three years, was reassigned outside the classroom pending the outcome of the investigation. He did not immediately return a call seeking comment on Kennedy's current job status, but the district attorney's statement referred to her as a ``former teacher.''
She pleaded guilty last month to sexual misconduct and is awaiting an August sentencing where she could receive up to a year in jail. A judge issued an order of protection at the time Kennedy pleaded guilty, instructing her to stay away from the youngster.
Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice said her office received a tip that Kennedy was continuing to see the boy and detectives from her office confirmed that liaisons were still taking place. Rice also said the boy admitted having sexual intercourse with Kennedy five times since the guilty plea.
District Court Judge Robert Bruno ordered Kennedy held on $52,000 cash bail, or $104,000 bond. If convicted, Kennedy could receive four years in prison on each of five third-degree rape charges.
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