Queens teacher charged with 2nd sexual relationship with student
RIDGEWOOD (WABC) -- A high school teacher in Queens is under arrest for a second time this week, accused of having a sexual relationship with another student at the Queens school.
Joy Morsi, a 39-year-old gym teacher at Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, was taken into custody Wednesday morning on the latest charge.
The second incident also involved a 16-year-old boy and occurred inside the school on May 31, authorities say.
Morsi was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual act and one-count of endangering the welfare of a child. She was ordered held on an additional $25,000 bail and to return to court on June 23.
"These are serious accusations in which a school teacher who should serve as a role model to students is instead accused of using her position to gain access to children for her own gratification," said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown.
Morsi was charged with third-degree rape and third-degree criminal sex act on Tuesday.
In the initial case, police said Morsi had sex with a student both inside and outside the school, and also sent explicit texts, pictures and videos. The relationship allegedly began in June 2013.
The boy, a member of the wrestling team, did not come forward on his own; authorities apparently were tipped off after one of the student's female friends told her parents.
That girl's mother, who also works in the school system, informed another education department employee.
The Department of Education immediately removed Morsi from the classroom, officials said, and they were looking into her interactions with other students.
Morsi's husband also works at the school.
The DOE said she has no prior investigations against her, and has been a gym teacher at the school since 1999.
In a written statement, the DOE said "The Department immediately removed Joy Morsi from the classroom upon learning the allegations. We find these claims disturbing and reprehensible and she will remain reassigned - far from any student and the school - pending a criminal investigation. We will work closely with the school to ensure they are given any needed support."
Morsi, who has four children, had nothing to say as she left court Tuesday.
In June 2013, she allegedly asked the student if he needed help losing weight, brought him into a closet in the gym and showed him her breasts. Officials said she began a sexual relationship with the teen, and that the pair met between 20 and 30 times in the basement of the school and other locations.
In court Tuesday, the assistant district attorney pointed out the illicit affair continued even after the student turned 17, saying it all came to an end two weeks ago after the boy asked a female student to the prom.
The Queens DA had a message for other victims who might be out there. "They should be coming forward and telling us about their situation," said Brown.
