Former Pittsburgh Public School Teacher Allegedly Exchanged Hundreds Of Texts With 11-Year-Old

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A former Pittsburgh Public School teacher is now in police custody, accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an 11-year-old girl in which they reportedly exchanged hundreds of texts and were planning to run away together.

The teacher, identified as 29-year-old Geraldine Alcorn, is facing a number of charges including criminal attempt - interference with the custody of a child, luring a child into a motor vehicle, and corruption of a minor.

She was a teacher at Beechwood Elementary School in Beechview.

According to the criminal complaint, Alcorn alleged exchanged some 2,400 texts with the female student over a span of two weeks. They also kept the relationship a secret from the girl's mother.

Alcorn was placed on administrative leave when the school district found out about the texting, and she subsequently resigned her teaching position.

Alcorn reportedly taught the girl in several of her classes.

According to the criminal complaint, police found out about the texting when the girl's mother discovered the messages on her daughter's iPod. Police said Alcorn had at least one conversation with the girl about adopting her, and they also allegedly discussed running away together.

Heather Lattner, the mother of a 6-year-old girl who attends a Pittsburgh school, said, "I just don't understand. Where are [the district's] background checks of teachers?

"The district should better scrutinize these potential employees," Lattner added. "It seems people just don't care anymore."

The criminal complaint reports the girl's mother found Alcorn in her home without her permission. She also allegedly found post-it notes and letters written by the girl to Alcorn with the headings: "Things Ms. Alcorn and I can do," "What we can do," and "When we can do it."

Alcorn is also accused of luring the girl into her home, according to the criminal complaint.

Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.

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