WV School Counselor Guilty in Sex Case - Updated

(Keyser, West Virginia) In accordance with a plea agreement, Mineral County educator Denise Fitch pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree sexual assault stemming from relations with three male high school students.

Fitch was originally charged with five counts of third-degree sexual assault; six counts of sexual abuse by a guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust; and one count of sexual abuse.

As part of the plea agreement, Fitch only pleaded guilty to the three counts of third-degree sexual assault.

“(She is) pleading to three counts and (we’ll) drop the rest,” said Judge Lynn Nelson.

Fitch will be subjected to lifetime registration as a sex offender. She faces one-to-five years prison on each count. A sentencing date is TBD.

* * * * *
WV School Counselor Faces Sex Charges
[Previous 2/12/11 post]
(Keyser, West Virginia) A 41-year-old counselor at Keyser Primary-Middle School, Denise Fitch, was arrested yesterday for allegedly engaging in sexual relations with three students last summer.

Fitch faces three counts of sexual assault of minors under the age of 16.

According to Mineral County Prosecuting Attorney Jay Courrier, the victims were two 14-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy.

In July, Courrier provided the West Virginia State Police a referral from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources after Fitch confessed to a local counselor that she had sex with two of the boys.

In November, the police received information that she had confessed to a family member as well.

Police also interviewed one of the victims last month and the other two boys earlier this month.

Fitch was booked into custody at the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail with bond set at $75,000.