Homepage > Pittsburgh News

Ex-Highlands Teacher's Aide: Teens Lying About Wild Hotel Party

POSTED: 1:16 pm EDT May 15, 2008
UPDATED: 11:28 am EDT May 16, 2008

A former Highlands High School teacher's aide says allegations that she partied with teenagers in a New Kensington hotel room where police found crack and beer are not true.

Some of the boys who say they were in the room with 35-year-old Abbie Jane Swogger at Clarion Hotel on Feb. 22 testified in District Judge Carolyn Bengel's courtroom on Thursday.

"I thought it was outrageous," Swogger said outside the judge's office, as she was being taken back to jail. "They're lying to save their own butts from getting in trouble for the things that they've done."

When asked to explain further, she said, "No comment."

Police said they went to the hotel after being told that two female runaways may be there. When they approached the door of Swogger's room, they heard noise and music and a male voice yelling, "Bout time baby, you sexy," according to the criminal complaint.

Officers found empty and half-full cans of beer throughout the room, along with baggies of suspected crack cocaine on a ledge above a door near a closet. Drug paraphernalia and a digital scale were in plain view, police said.

Swogger told police that the drugs were not hers, according to the criminal complaint.

In separate cases, Swogger is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old boy in Natrona Heights, and stripping for teens and adult males in another home in Natrona Heights in January.

"Swogger danced for a period of time before stripping off the outfit and appearing in the nude. During the performance, all of the males present were permitted by Swogger to touch her nude body including but not limited to her breasts and genital areas," the criminal complaint said. "Swogger posed nude in various positions while being photographed by the participants. One of these photographs depicts her sitting nude on a couch with six of the victims. While at this party, the participants consumed the provided alcohol and were exposed to or ingested marijuana."

Defense attorney Duke George said the sex charges are even more ridiculous than those filed for the alleged party at the hotel.

All told, Swogger is charged with involuntary sexual deviate intercourse, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, furnishing liquor to minors, unlawful contact with minors and possession with intent to deliver.

Swogger remains in custody on $150,000 bond, an amount which George said she has no means to pay.


Related Links:
More County News Get RSS Headlines | Free Desktop Alert

Links We Like

Before you splurge on that pricey remodeling project, beware. It may not pay you back when it's time to sell. More

Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

Want to lose weight? Get a diet and fitness plan customized for you from Jillian Michaels of TV’s Biggest Loser. MoreClick Here

The signs of Cancer can sometimes be very subtle. Here's a guide to help you recognize them early. More

Health Topics & Information

10 expert tips to promote a healthier heart. Learn why the “full-fat” version of food is often better than the “low-fat” version. More

Sponsored Links