Former Stratford Teacher's Aide Pleads Guilty In Sex Case: Report

STRATFORD, CT — Former Stratford teacher's aide Kyle Damato-Kushel, 48, faces up to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy, according to the Connecticut Post. Damato-Kushel worked at Wooster Middle School and had been the victim’s preschool teacher. Damato-Kushel previously rejected a plea deal and the case was heading toward trial.

Stratford Police arrested Damato-Kushel in December 2015 following an investigation that began Oct. 1 of that year when police were contacted regarding allegations of inappropriate conduct by an adult female and a juvenile victim. She was charged with second-degree sexual assault, illegal sexual contact with a minor, fourth-degree sexual assault where the victim is a student and tempering with a witness.

Daniel Tepfer of the Post reports that Damato-Kushel pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury in the plea agreement. She is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14 and will also have to register as a sex offender.

The 15-year-old victim told police that he had been having sex with Damato-Kushel since 2013 when he was in seventh grade and the relationship was discovered by Damato-Kushel's husband in their Stratford home, according to previous reports.

Damato-Kushel was accused of offering the boy $900 to keep their relationship a secret, according to the Post.

Read more on Thursday’s court appearance at the Connecticut Post here.

Stratford Police Department photo