Hunter
02/11/22
A West Liberty school counselor has been arrested on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and witness tampering in connection with an investigation regarding sexual exploitation by a counselor.
The Muscatine Journal reports that 27-year-old Emily Resendiz of West Liberty was taken into custody on Sunday, waiving an initial appearance and preliminary hearing.
According to the criminal complaint, West Liberty Police interviewed a juvenile girl who is a witness in the ongoing investigation. The report didn’t indicate whether Resendiz is the one being investigated. The girl showed an officer messages where Resendiz asked her to contact an unnamed male victim to find out what the victim told officers regarding the investigation.
The girl said she questioned the victim about what he told investigating officers out of her own curiosity and was not manipulated by Resindez. The woman reportedly acknowledged that she had been told by officers to cease all contact with the victim.
The Journal reports that the girl’s mother requested a no-contact order between Resindez and her daughter because she was concerned that Resindez would continue to manipulate her to learn more about the investigation.