High School Softball Coach Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 15-Year-Old

A 29-year-old former high school softball coach in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student in 2018.

Jane Woodside was arrested following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with a former student and player, whose name has not been disclosed, KDKA reported. Woodside is being held on a $50,000 bond.

Woodside first befriended the victim when the girl was a freshman, and the pair soon began spending time together at each other’s homes, police said.

They allegedly began having a physical relationship after Woodside expressed feelings for the victim, according to authorities.

“The allegation was that a former coach had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 15-year-old back in 2018,” said state Trooper Matthew Norris.

Woodside worked as an assistant softball coach at West Shamokin High School in Armstrong County at the time of the alleged assault.

“It took place over a six-week, two-month period, so it happened more than once,” Norris added.

The state trooper said that he interviewed the victim, who alleged that she and Woodside had sex at least twice in the victim’s home in Plumcreek Township in Armstrong County.

The unnamed victim said they tried to hide the relationship from her mother due to her age and the nature of the relationship.

Investigators got hold of the text messages Woodside and the victim exchanged. The softball coach allegedly indicated in the messages that she hoped the victim wouldn’t share details and would deny what happened between them.

After she stopped serving as a softball coach for the district in 2020, Woodside went on to work as a special education teacher at Armstrong Junior/Senior High School starting the 2018-19 school year.

Woodside was placed on administrative leave starting March 2, the Armstrong School District said in a statement. She later resigned from her position on March 24.

“Woodside was immediately placed on administrative leave the same day. On March 24, 2022, Woodside resigned her position with the Armstrong School District,” read the statement to KDKA.

Woodside is now facing several charges, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and statutory sexual assault.

She is currently out on bond awaiting her preliminary hearing.