Jefferson Parish Youth Center Counselor Arrested In Sex Case

BRIDGE CITY, La. (AP) — A 32-year-old counselor at the Bridge City Center for Youth has been arrested after authorities discovered she had improper contact with one of youths held at the facility.

The Times-Picayune reports Shantel Fitzgerald of New Orleans was booked Friday with sexual malfeasance in a prison after it was determined she had a sexual relationship with an inmate at the facility. Fitzgerald was taken into custody after an investigation by the state Department of Juvenile Justice, but has since been released.

Jerel Giarrusso, a spokeswoman for the agency, did not provide any details on how many inmates were affected or when the sexual contact occurred. Fitzgerald has since been fired by the state.

It was unclear whether Fitzgerald has an attorney.

Categories: AP News