Parsippany Teacher Who Sexted Student Sentenced To Jail Time

PARSIPPANY, NJ— A former Parsippany Hills High School teacher was sentenced on Monday to prison time for sexting a 16-year-old student, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said in a statement.

Jenna Leahey, 35, was sentenced to five years in state prison after pleading guilty to endangering the welfare of a child by sending sexually explicit text messages. She was indicted three years ago on multiple charges, including sexual assault.

“The state prison sentence for this offender will hopefully send a message that the abuse of children, in any way shape or form, by those in positions of authority will not be tolerated,” Knapp said

Leahey was an English teacher at Parsippany Hills High School when she began a relationship with a 16-year-old student. The two exchanged sexually explicit text messages, and she sent sexually explicit pictures of herself. The two talked between January and June 2013 on and off school grounds.

“Of all people, she knew and understood the significance and power of words,” Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez said.

Leahey is also facing a civil suit. The victim, who is now 19, sued Leahey in civil court as well, Patch reported. The suit claims the teacher was poorly supervised by the district.

READ MORE:

• Student: Teen, Female Teacher Touched, Did ‘Physical Things’ in Classroom
• Teacher Indicted for Alleged Sexual Relationship With Parsippany Student
• Kissing, Touching, Sexting: Former Morris County Teacher Admits Relationship With Teen

Image: Patch File Photo