Teacher at elite Catholic boys’ school charged with having sex with at-risk student in her office

A teacher at an elite Catholic boys’ school outside Cincinnati, Ohio faces up to 15 years in prison for allegedly having sex with an at-risk 17-year-old student in her on-campus office, sending him nudes and continuing to pursue him after he tried to break off the illicit relationship, according to authorities.

Emily Nutley, 42, was charged with six counts of sexual battery, a felony of the third degree, following the alleged affair, Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers said.

In the fall semester of 2023, Nutley was hired by St. Xavier High School, a prestigious Jesuit boys’ school, as the supervisor of a program meant to help “students struggling with academics,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Through her role, she met the victim, a 17-year-old boy, who was a participant in her program, officials said.

Nutley then began to pursue a relationship with the victim outside of school hours, texting him nude photographs of herself and sexually explicit messages, prosecutors said.

By mid-November, Nutley and the victim had a physical relationship, with Nutley allegedly performed a sex act on the victim “at least one time while on the campus of St. Xavier High School and one additional time off campus,” officials said.

Nutley and the student also allegedly engaged in sex after school in her on-campus office, according to prosecutors.

“When the victim attempted to stop the encounters, Nutley continued to contact the victim via text messages,” the prosecutor’s office said.

The inappropriate relationship was discovered through an internal investigation by school administrators, who contacted Springfield Township Police. The department then launched its own investigation.

Powers slammed Nutley’s “reprehensible conduct” and said she plans to prosecute the matter fully and thoroughly.

“This is absolutely unacceptable and reprehensible conduct from an adult towards a minor child. This child was in need of help and guidance but instead found an adult looking to act out her perverted sexual desires,” Powers wrote.

Nutley was fired from the school in October, Fox 19 reported.

In a statement, St. Xavier said it believed the case was an “isolated incident.”

“At this time, we respectfully ask for continued prayers for the well-being of our students, their families, our entire staff, and for all individuals impacted by abuse. We remain committed to providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for our entire St. Xavier community,” St. Xavier President Tim Riley told the outlet.

If convicted, Nutley will also be required to register as a sexual offender, officials said.

She is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 8, the outlet reported.