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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Former track coach facing sexual assault charges

Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck announced sexual assault charges April 13 against a 26-year-old Walnutport resident for her involvement with a 17-year-old male student.

Hannah Marth is facing charges of institutional sexual assault and sexual assault by a sports official, both felonies of the third degree.

In May 2021, Marth was a javelin coach for Northampton Area High School’s track and field team.

The 17-year-old victim was a student and active participant in the track and field program.

An investigation by Pennsylvania State Police determined the defendant and victim were involved in a sexual relationship, Houck said.

On May 22 of that year, approximately 2 a.m., police said, Marth texted the victim and invited him to her residence on Hunsicker Drive in Lehigh Township, Northampton County, where Marth initiated sexual contact with the victim.

In an interview with police, Marth confessed to having romantic involvement with the victim in May 2021.

When police interviewed the victim, the victim related he and Marth were in a relationship that lasted until October 2022.

“A trusted relationship between a student athlete, an athlete’s parent and a coach can be a vulnerable one. An abuse of that relationship shows a coach’s blatant disregard for the well-being of those she or he coached - and above all, the law. This defendant defied that trust when she committed this alleged crime against the victim,” Houck said.