A Queens, New York, high school gym teacher is accused of raping one of her students.
CBS reports that Joy Morsi, 39, allegedly had sex with her 16-year-old male victim in the basement, a gym closet and other locations inside Grover Cleveland High School over a seven-week period beginning in June of last year.
Prosecutors said Morsi sent sexually explicit selfies to the victim and asked if he was a virgin, according to the New York Daily News. They also said she was upset when she found out the student was taking a date to prom.
The age of consent in New York is 17 years old.
Many students who spoke to the media about the allegations expressed surprise, but a senior at the school told the Daily News the two were seen hanging out regularly.
“I see them together all the time,” Bianca Racz said. “It’s not like they were sexual and touched each other, but they used to hug and stuff in the halls all the time.”
WABC-TV reports that Morsi’s husband also works at the school.
Morsi is charged with third-degree rape and third-degree criminal sex act.
Authorities said they became aware of the allegations after the victim told a fellow student, who told her mom who works in the school system.
Morsi has been put on unpaid leave while the criminal investigation continues.
