Philadelphia

Trial Continued for Special Education Teacher Accused of Having Sex With Her Student

A Northeast Philadelphia middle school teacher accused of having sex with one of her special education students several times appeared in court Tuesday.

Stephanie Amato, who taught eighth grade special education at Ethan Allen School, is accused of carrying on a "consensual" sexual relationship with her student.

Amato appeared in a Philadelphia courtroom Tuesday as her defense requested a two-week delay for her pre-trial conference. The 30-year-old remains out of jail on 10 percent of $125,000 bail, according to court records.

Investigators say one of Amato's 14-year-old male students told the school counselor that he had sex with Amato several times at her home and in her car between March and April of this year. School officials then contacted police and Amato was arrested in June.

Amato was immediately removed from the school pending the investigation and was not allowed to have contact with students as she was suspended with pay.

Amato faces a slew of charges including corruption of minors, indecent exposure, statutory sexual assault, sex with a minor and child endangerment.

Photos posted on Amato's Facebook page show her smiling with a group of teenage boys in her car. NBC10 spoke with two of the teens in that photo who told us they believe she is innocent. 

After her June arrest, a letter was sent home to parents of students at the school alerting them of the situation.

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