The former substitute teacher who had sex with a student in Easton Cemetery wants to go on house arrest so she can undergo medical tests, according to her attorney.
Kelly Aldinger has been in Northampton County Prison about two months and is due to be paroled March 10.
The 50-year-old Palmer Township woman was successfully treated for breast cancer in 2007 but a mammogram found a "questionable lymph node" in June, according to her lawyer, Phil Lauer. She was due to report for a follow-up exam in January but was in prison, he said.
Also, she had to miss an ultrasound in December for an ongoing and "significant" pelvic condition.
"There is some concern that pushing (the exams and tests) off yet another month may be detrimental to her health," he said.
Lauer said he wasn't aware of the extend of her ongoing medical needs when she was sentenced and asked that she be placed on house arrest so she can get the help she needs.
Assistant District Attorney Tatum Wilson said her office asked for more than a three-month minimum when Aldinger was sentenced Dec. 5. Letting her out of prison now would depreciate the severity of her crime.
If she needs a medical examination, she can get permission to leave temporarily and keep serving her time until at least March 10.
"I would have no objection for her seeking a furlough," Wilson told Northampton County Judge Leonard Zito. "I respectfully request she serve the minimum term."
Zito sentenced her to three to 23 months in prison for institutional sexual assault. He said he'd decide whether to allow house arrest at a later time.
Aldinger was a substitute teacher at Easton Area High School when she had sex around 1 p.m. May 6 with the then-17-year-old boy in the cemetery off North Seventh Street.
Aldinger served as council president as recently as last fall at St. Paul's III Lutheran Church. She blamed her health and her failing marriage as reasons for her crime.
Lauer said Aldinger is needed at home to help care for her ailing parents. Her mother is recovering from a broken kneecap and her father has a heart condition, he said.
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Aldinger pleaded guilty to one count of institutional sexual assault, although the victim mentioned at least 15 sexual encounters over a two-year period, according to Assistant District Attorney Anthony Casola.
The sexual relationship between Aldinger and the student began in 2015. They initially met when the teen was in middle school, according to court documents.
Aldinger is suspended indefinitely from Source 4 Teachers, the company that provides substitute teachers for the Easton Area School District.
Aldinger must spend two years on probation when her parole expires. She must complete 42 hours of community service and may not supervise young people.
Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
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