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PARK CITY — A 33-year-old teacher’s aid in the Wasatch School District was arrested Tuesday for allegedly providing alcohol to students and encouraging them to have sexual contact with each other, according to police.
Ashley Ann Morgan, of Park City, was booked into the Summit County Jail for investigation of child abuse, witness tampering and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She posted bail by Tuesday afternoon.
On Sept. 20, Morgan had “multiple Wasatch County School District students” at her house, according to a prepared statement from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
One 17-year-old student told investigators that Morgan, who used to be an employee with the Division of Child and Family Services, invited her and two male students to her home to drink alcohol.
“The female student said Morgan provided alcohol to her and the male students and encouraged the female student to have sexual contact with one of the males,” according to the statement.
Investigators say Morgan later texted the female student “telling her if she was interviewed by the authorities or police to tell them she was never at Morgan’s house and nothing ever happened” and “threatened to disclose personal information of the student” she obtained from being a DCFS worker if she did tell police, according to the statement.
A spokeswoman with the Wasatch School District said that Morgan has been with the district for less than a year. In a statement, the district confirmed Morgan has been placed on administrative leave.
“The district can confirm the employee, who was hired at the beginning of this year, passed the extensive background check standard for all new employees. As this is an ongoing investigation, the district cannot make any further comments. Any parents with specific concerns about this case should contact their principal or law enforcement,” the statement said.
A DCFS representative said Morgan was employed as a case social worker from 2016 until 2018, when she voluntarily resigned. She underwent an extensive background check before she was hired.
While DCFS would not comment specifically about Morgan’s case, the division said it puts a lot of trust in its case workers, and the allegations are saddening.
