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Former school employee charged with sexual assault after cheating on husband with 11-year-old boy

November 15, 2023 | | Print Article

A married Connecticut former school employee was arrested on Tuesday for raping an 11-year-old student.

In September, local police started investigating Columbia woman Alyson Cranick, 42, a school paraprofessional, after they received a report she’d sexually assaulted a juvenile male aged 11.

“Police said the 11-year-old told a relative that he was in a sexual relationship with Cranick during July and August of 2022. The boy said he had been communicating with Cranick over iMessage and Snapchat before ultimately using Discord,” according to local station WVIT.

“The boy allegedly snuck out to meet Cranick and the two had sexual relations in her car on multiple occasions. The two had also kissed at Horace Porter School in Columbia, according to court documents,” the station notes.

According to an arrest warrant, the two often exchanged sexually-charged messages. Moreover, Cranick made the victim a bracelet with the acronym “BFFLWB,” which stands for “Best Friends for Life With Benefits.”

The arrest warrant further notes that Cranick “emotionally manipulated [the victim] into spending more time with her,” that the victim “snuck out of his house on at least 14 occasions during the overnight hours to meet with Cranick,” and that when he snuck out, Cranick waited for him by either “hiding behind a bush on a neighbor’s property or walking up to his house.”

At some point, the victim told Cranick he no longer wanted to see her and would not be sneaking out anymore.

When interviewed by the authorities, the 42-year-old wife claimed she didn’t initiate the sexual contact. She also “downplayed any inappropriate reasoning for communicating [with the victim],” according to the arrest warrant.

Indeed, Cranick went on to dubiously claim she’d just been trying to comfort the victim as per family issues he’d allegedly been experiencing.

Columbia School District interim superintendent Barabara Wilson informed parents of what had occurred in a letter.

“I write to inform you that a former Columbia Public School employee was arrested for sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. Clearly, any allegation of inappropriate contact with minors is disturbing and causes concerns about the safety of the children in our school community. Columbia community members should be reassured that the safety of children is the district’s foremost concern. The Columbia Board of Education has adopted robust policies and procedures to promote the safety and wellbeing of all our children,” the letter reads.

“Members of our community who have information or concerns regarding this matter or any concerns or allegations pertaining to inappropriate contact with students are encouraged to contact me. Any such concerns may also be reported directly to law enforcement and/or the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families. Parents may also contact any building administrator,” it continues.

“It is with great regret that I must share this information with you today. As educators, we are entrusted to protect and educate all of our students. Maintaining appropriate faculty-student relationships and providing for the safety and wellbeing of our students at all times are critical. My hope is that this horrific and appalling situation will not cast a shadow over the important work carried out by the Columbia School District’s teachers and staff members, who provide an outstanding education and safe environment for our students every day,” it concludes.

According to local station WFSB, Cranick has been fired from E.O. Smith High. In addition, her parents traveled to Connecticut this week to try to bail her out.

“The judge said they have to pay 10-percent of the $500,000 bond at the courthouse. It appears her family was hoping to bring her back to Pennsylvania, where she’s from. The judge said if the family bonds her out she has to stay in Connecticut,” the station notes.

Responding to what happened, social media users were incensed, especially over media outlets reporting that Cranick had merely “had sex” with the victim versus raping him.

Vivek Saxena
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