'Explicit' Texts Between Ex-Teacher, Student in Sexual Relationship Allowed in Court

At a status conference in Morristown Tuesday, the case against a former Parsippany Hills High School teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student took a major turn, when a judge ruled “explicit” text messages between the two would be allowed during trial.

According to nj.com, Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez charged the texts were the heart of the case charging Jenna Leahey, 33, of Morristown, of having a sexual relationship with a then-16-year-old male student between February and June 2013.

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At the same conference, it was noted that a plea deal in the case has been discussed, the report said, and an offer of a five-year sentence with no early parole has been offered if Leahey pleads guilty to official misconduct and a sex-related offense.

As a result, Leahey would also have to register as a sex offender and be on parole supervision for life.

The alleged relationship between Leahey and the teen began in January 2013 when the teacher was counseling the student after a death in the family. It escalated from there, and the teen allegedly told Parsippany Hills High School football coach Dave Albano about the situation in June of that year.

The next status conference is scheduled for May 27, with a trial date potentially set for the fall.

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