Posted at: 11/19/2009 9:30 PM
By: Becky Nahm

Wis. Teacher's Aide Accused of Sex with Student

A former Wisconsin teacher's aide was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old boy.

Pierce County District Attorney's Office charged Rebecca Ann O'Malley-Tietz, 34, of River Falls, with first degree sex assault of a child.

O'Malley-Tietz worked as a special education aide in the River Falls School District's Harbor Program from Aug. 2007 through March 2008.

According to the probable cause document, she became friends with the boy's mother and allowed him to move into her home "because of conflicts that were occurring in his family."

The boy, who is now 14, told police within the first week that he lived with O'Malley-Tietz, the two had sexual intercourse.

He said they had sexual relations 30 to 40 times between late 2007 and early 2008.

In April of 2008, police were called in to investigate when another teacher witnessed a long hug between O'Malley-Tietz and the boy. At that time both O'Malley-Tietz and the boy denied there was a sexual relationship.

The boy has since told police, O'Malley-Tietz threatened him with a gun if he said anything about their relationship.

The boy eventually told his mother and a counselor about the alleged sexual abuse. Police were notified in October.

According to authorities, O'Malley-Tietz was terminated from her job in the school district during her probationary employment because of concerns about her relationships with students, staff and parents.

If convicted of the charge, O'Malley-Tietz could face up to 60 years in prison.