Aldine MacArthur High School counselor accused of sex with student

HOUSTON – An Aldine ISD counselor is off the job after she was accused of having sex with a student.

Court documents state the male student told a member of the Aldine MacArthur High School staff that he had sex on multiple occasions with a school counselor, Ellen Wermeling. The 12th-grade student told police how he messaged Wermeling through Instagram on Feb. 28 and she agreed to pick him up so they could "hang out" at her residence. He says the two watched a movie, then engaged in sexual intercourse.

The teen says he and Wermeling again had sex at her residence on March 6 and March 8.

The school began an investigation and court documents state Wermeling denied that the student had ever been to her residence and denied the two had sex. Investigators say Wermeling told them she never spoke to the teen through Instagram.

According to court documents, investigators say Wermeling's Instagram account was closed on March 25, the same day she was contacted about the allegations.

Wermeling, 32, is charged with improper relationship between educator and student. She posted a $10,000 bond.

She is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Wermeling made a court appearance on Friday morning, where a judge reset her case to May.

Aldine ISD released a statement which read, "Aldine ISD has been made aware of a MacArthur High School staff member being charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a MacArthur student. The district takes this allegation seriously and is fully cooperating with authorities. The Aldine ISD Police Department launched an investigation and once it was completed turned over its findings to the Harris County District Attorney's Office. The staff member was removed from the campus once the district learned of the allegation and will not be returning. The safety and security of our students will continue to be a top priority in Aldine ISD."