Pennsylvania Softball Coach Arrested for Sexual Relationship with Student

29-year-old, Jane Woodside, is a former assistant softball coach at West Shamokin High School.  She was recently arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a student/player when the player was 15 years old in 2018.  She was charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, institutional sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, and statutory sexual assault, among other related charges.

The victim was a high school freshman when the pair had sex on multiple occasions over an approximately two (2) month period.  Investigators discovered text messages between the victim and Woodside in which Woodside states she hoped the victim would not share the details [of their relationship] and would deny what happened between them.

Most recently, Woodside was a special education teacher at Armstrong Junior/Senior High school.  She stopped coaching softball in 2020.  She resigned from her position with the Armstrong School District in March of 2022 after Armstrong County Children, Youth and Family Services began investigating.  She is currently out on bond awaiting her preliminary hearing scheduled for May 24, 2022.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people in positions of trust and power to misuse those positions to groom and abuse victims, much like Woodside is alleged to have done in this case.  If you or someone you love has been victimized by a person in a position of power, such as a teacher or coach, please feel free to contact Andreozzi + Foote today for a consultation.