West Liberty guidance counselor accused of sexually abusing student

Lang
3/10/22

A middle school guidance counselor in the West Liberty Community School District faces charges that she sexually abused a student.

West Liberty Police say 27-year-old Emily Resendiz had sexual intercourse with a boy under the age of 14 twice last December, including December 6th and Christmas Day.  Investigators were informed of the two incidents on January 24th. Both allegedly occurred at Resendiz’s home, and photos of her kissing the boy were found on his phone.

Resendiz was reportedly told by police to avoid school property during their investigation. But on February 22nd she was allegedly seen inside a car in the West Liberty High School parking lot, picking up a juvenile. The student who entered the vehicle was identified as an immediate family member of a girl who has a no-contact order against Resendiz relating to the investigation.

Police say Resendiz contacted a female student to have her find out what her alleged victim had told the police, leading to the girl’s mother requesting the no-contact order.

Resendiz was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of 2nd Degree Sexual Abuse as well as one count each of Sexual Exploitation by a Counselor or Therapist, Tampering With a Witness and a no-contact order violation. If convicted on all charges, she faces a maximum of 54 years in prison.