A former counselor at a private all-boys school in Cincinnati, Emily Nutley, has pleaded guilty to charges related to an inappropriate relationship with a student she was meant to help. The 43-year-old, who has three children, continued to communicate with the boy even after he expressed a desire to end their relationship, according to the prosecution.
Nutley, who was head of academic services at St. Xavier High School, accepted guilty pleas for two counts of sexual battery just as her trial was about to begin. She could face a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and will be added to Ohio’s Sex Offender Registry.
Prosecutor Melissa Powers stated that Nutley violated the trust of a vulnerable student by acting on her sexual desires instead of providing the support he needed. Nutley had worked for 18 years as a counselor and was responsible for supervising a program for students who were struggling academically during the fall semester of 2023. At the time of the incidents, the victim was 17 years old.
During this period, Nutley reportedly engaged in inappropriate contact with the student outside of school, which included sending nude photos and explicit messages. By November 2023, the relationship progressed to physical encounters on school grounds and in her office. When the student tried to end the relationship, Nutley continued to reach out to him through texts.
Nutley was terminated from her position in October 2024 after the school found out about the relationship and contacted law enforcement. Following the revelation of the charges, her husband filed for divorce. Her sentencing is set for June 10.
