Teachers and students -- the relationship can sometimes be a close one.

But a local teacher is accused of crossing the line, facing charges of having sex with a 16-year-old former student.

The following is a transcript of an exclusive report by Team 4 investigator Paul Van Osdol that first aired Aug. 21, 2006, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 6 p.m.

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Donald Rosie is a sixth-grade teacher at South Middle School in the Albert Gallatin School District. That's where he first got to know the girl who he's accused of having sex with.

Her mother said the teacher took advantage of a young girl facing troubled times.

The 16-year-old girl's mother said in hindsight, she should have suspected something when Rosie was teaching her daughter at South Middle School.

Mother: "They were quite close, probably more close than they should have been even then, and that was probably the eighth grade. She would not go to lunch. She would go to his class, grade papers. He would send her cards in the mail, birthday cards."

She confronted her daughter in June after seeing the girl's cell phone bill.

Van Osdol: "What did you see in there?"

Mother: "Two hundred forty-six calls between the two of them in a month's time, which was very inappropriate, and that's when I noticed something was wrong."

The girl told her mother and police that she first had sex with Rosie in March, just two weeks after she turned 16.

According to the police report, they had sex a half-dozen times, including at Rosie's Uniontown home.

Van Osdol: "How did you feel when you found out about this?"

Mother: "I was infuriated. I was devastated and mad."

The woman and her attorney are looking into allegations that Rosie engaged in other inappropriate behavior with students.

Last year, Rosie abruptly resigned as coach of the high school girls' softball team, though he remained a teacher.

Superintendent Walter Vicinelly said he could not discuss the reasons behind Rosie's resignation.

Team 4 tried to talk to Rosie at his home.

Van Osdol: "Can we speak to Mr. Rosie please?"

Woman: "No. No comment. Go see his lawyer."

Team 4 did contact Rosie's attorney. He did not return calls.

Rosie is charged with corruption of minors. If he had had sex with the girl two weeks earlier, before her 16th birthday, he could have been charged with a felony.

The superintendent said he will have a decision about Rosie's future before school opens next Monday.

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