Female Coach Accused of Sex with Girl

(Payson, Utah) A 23-year-old assistant softball coach at Payson High School, Mckell Shurtliff, was arrested last week for allegedly engaging in multiple sex acts with a 15-year-old girl, one of her players. The alleged sex acts reportedly occurred during a three-month time period in the spring of 2008.

The police investigated the case last November, but were unable to substantiate the evidence against Shurtliff until the girl disclosed information on the case last week.

When interviewed by police, Shurtliff confirmed the girl's testimony, saying she knew at the time that the nature of the relationship was illegal, but that she pursued it because she loved the girl, according to police.

The school released Shurtliff from the coaching position last November when information from the investigation began to surface.

Shurtliff was booked into custody at the Utah County Jail and released on $15,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 16.