MACHIAS, Maine — A substitute school teacher at a Steuben elementary school has been charged with two counts of gross sexual assault of a student.

Dianne Leach, 41, of Steuben, made her first court appearance before Justice Kevin Cuddy in Washington County Superior Court on Monday and is now out on bail.

Since April, Maine State Police have been investigating a complaint at the Ella Lewis School in Steuben, which serves children between kindergarten and eighth grade, involving an inappropriate relationship between the substitute teacher and a male student.

Interim Superintendent of RSU 24 Wayne Enman told the Bangor Daily News in April that the investigation was launched when a teacher confiscated the victim’s cell phone during a class and saw a text message from Leach that raised concerns.

Leach entered no plea this week and will be back in court in July.

Reprinted with permission from the Bangor Daily News.

RSU 24 has obtained a protection order against Leach, requiring her to stay off all school properties.


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