A 39-year-old teaching assistant at a Ridgewood public school was arrested this morning after allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old student, according to authorities.
Clara Somodi, who had worked at P.S. 9 for ten years, was reportedly caught after the unidentified teen told the school speech therapist that Somodi was his "girlfriend." Authorities did not immediately reveal how long the relationship had been going on, but noted the alleged rape did not take place on campus.
Somodi, who was arrested at around 1 a.m. today, has since been charged with rape, criminal sex and endangering the welfare of a child. Department of Education spokeswoman Margie Feinberg tells us Somodi, who earns $35,040 a year, has been suspended without pay, and the student is currently receiving counseling. P.S. 9 serves grades K-9.
