A scandal in the Moon Area School District worsened yesterday, as police said a female teacher confessed to having sex with a 14-year-old male student.

Beth Ann Chester

The suspect, Beth Ann Chester, 26, faces at least one felony charge of sexual assault, Moon Police Chief Leo McCarthy said.

"She admitted to having sexual intercourse with the boy in her car," Chief McCarthy said in an interview.

The chief said this sexual encounter happened in a school parking lot after a sporting event or activity. Detectives were trying to pinpoint the date.

Mrs. Chester already was charged with seven felonies and two misdemeanors. Police said she sent lewd text messages and nude photos of herself to the boy. She remained in jail yesterday on those charges, her bail set at $50,000.

She is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing today. The criminal complaint would be amended then to add the sexual assault charge, Chief McCarthy said.

"At the absolute minimum, there will be one new charge against her," he said.

Chief McCarthy said Mrs. Chester readily cooperated with police after they arrested her Friday. She waived her right to remain silent, then told police of her relationship with the boy, which included at least the one sexual encounter.

The boy gave police a different story. He said he thought he was in love with Mrs. Chester but never had sex with her. He said she would write him excuses and hall passes so they could spend extra time together at school.

His parents broke open the scandal after finding explicit text messages from Mrs. Chester on the boy's cell phone.

Mrs. Chester, of Scott, is married and has been employed by the Moon district for more than two years. She taught health and ninth-grade physical education at Moon High.

She submitted a letter of resignation to the Moon district on Dec. 27, a week before police entered the case. The Moon district's solicitor said her resignation had not been accepted because the school board must meet to make personnel decisions.