A Mountain Ridge High School English teacher, who was recently charged with allegedly having sexual relations with a 15-year-old student, has posted bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 19.
Autumn Lee Leathers, 24, a Springdale, Pa. native, was arrested on Aug. 20 after police obtained a warrant and searched her apartment, seizing evidence important to the investigation.  She was being held Thursday at the Allegany County Detention Center on
$25,000 bond. She posted bond and was released.
Hired a year ago by the Allegany County Board of Education, Leathers is being charged with second-degree custodial child abuse, fourth-degree sex offense, sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree assault, and perverted practice following an investigation by the Department of Social Services and the C3I Unit of Cumberland.
According to court records, the arrest originated from a citizen’s concern about a possible inappropriate relationship between the student and teacher.
The 15-year-old victim, one of Leather’s students, told police he had engaged in sexual intercourse with Leathers in May.
In addition, the juvenile stated to police that he had ongoing sexual relations with the teacher over the last three months at her Frostburg residence, according to court documents.
Leathers has been placed on administrative leave without pay, pending a recommendation from the superintendent of schools to the board, according to the Allegany County Board of Education.
Additional interviews were conducted in which a C3I spokesman believes Leathers may have been sexually involved with other students.
A preliminary hearing of this case is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in Allegany County District Court.