NORWALK, CT – A Connecticut school guidance counselor faces serious allegations of sexual misconduct with a middle school student. Luisa Melchionne, 47, from Nathan Hale Middle School in Norwalk, was arrested on July 11. She is facing charges of sexual assault as well as risk of injury to a minor, according to the Norwalk Police Department.
Details leading to her arrest began to surface in April when an anonymous tipster contacted police claiming to have found inappropriate messages between Melchionne and a student on her cell phone, which they had borrowed. The tip-off led to an investigation, which uncovered explicit text messages, photos, and evidence of financial transactions.
During police interviews, the student, a 7th grader at the onset of his interactions with Melchionne in 2023, recounted that Melchionne had sent him nude photos, solicited similar images from him, and provided him money for food and transport. The student described visits to Melchionne’s office where she allegedly engaged in inappropriate physical contact including “lap dances.”
Melchionne, who has since resigned from her position following these allegations, staunchly maintains her innocence. Her attorney, Mark Sherman, emphasized the preliminary nature of the allegations. “These are just accusations,” Sherman stated, highlighting Melchionne’s two decades of commitment to her profession.
Currently out on bond, Melchionne’s case continues to develop, with the legal process ongoing. Local education officials have not commented extensively on the case, citing the open investigation. The community remains shocked by the allegations against a long-serving educator. The student involved was reported to be 13 years old at the time of the alleged incidents.