Bucks Teacher's Aide Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen Died By Suicide

LEVITTOWN, PA — A Bucks County teacher's aide charged in July with sexual assault has ended her own life, the District Attorney's Office said Monday.

Family of the 14-year-old student who Jennilynne Derolf, 38, is accused of sexually assaulting, contacted Falls Township Police Officers on Sunday. They had discovered that Derolf had gotten in touch with the teenager and arranged to meet with him.

Police arrived at 4:18 p.m. to Bristol Pike and Wheatsheaf Lane. When they arrived, Derolf shot herself and died, Police Chief Nelson Whitney said.

The teenage student was not injured, the DA's office reported.

Derolf had been charged with counts including sexual assault on July 15 after the Falls Township Police Department received a report from the student's grandmother, who had discovered their relationship.

When interviewed, the student told detectives that he and the Valley Day School teacher's aide began their relationship with messaging on an app, then meeting at Falls Township Park. He said their meetings became romantic in early June.

He and Derolf had sexual intercourse three times in July, the student told detectives according to initial reports by the District Attorney's office. The age of consent in Pennsylvania is 16; intercourse with someone younger is considered statutory sexual assault.

Derolf was charged with felony counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, aggravated indecent assault, and institutional sexual assault. She was also charged with misdemeanor counts of indecent assault and corruption of minors.

She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Jan Vislosky and was sent to Bucks County Correctional Facility under 10 percent of $900,000 bail. She had posted bail at the time of her death on Sunday.

The facts and circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation, the DA said Monday. Anyone with information on the case can contact Falls Township Police Detective Matthew Tomcho at 215-949-9100 ext: 347 or at m.tomcho@fallstwp.com.

Stay informed about what’s going on in Levittown, or in your local area. Sign up for Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news.

Got tips, story ideas, or questions in Lower Bucks County? Email kate.fishman@patch.com.