Brycelyn Haughey. PHOTO COURTESY OF TAMA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

A former coach and paraeducator at GMG has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee and one count of dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors.

Brycelyn Haughey, 22, of Toledo, was arrested on Dec. 15 following an investigation by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office and the Tama County Attorney.

Haughey was the head varsity volleyball coach at GMG High School during the 2020-21 school year and into 2021-2022 before resigning her coaching position midseason on Sept. 23. Court documents suggest, however, that the charges against Haughey are not a result of interactions she had as a coach.

According to court documents, Haughey allegedly engaged in multiple sexual acts and disseminated inappropriate images with a minor over a period of time in 2020. Haughey is also alleged to have provided alcohol to the minor on multiple occasions

In response to an inquiry from the Sun Courier, GMG Superintendent Kym Stein emailed a written statement.

“We are aware of the recent criminal charges against Ms. Haughey. The district will continue to follow its policies and procedures, including cooperating with law enforcement. The safety of students is our top priority,” she wrote.

Haughey was hired as a paraeducator at South Tama Elementary beginning at the start of the 2021-22 school year. District officials confirmed Haughey resigned her position at South Tama on Dec. 15, 2021.

Public Defender Scott Hunter of Marshalltown is representing Haughey, and no trial dates have been set. The sexual exploitation by a school employee charge is considered a Class D felony, which carries a maximum sentence of five years confinement and a maximum fine of $10,245.