North Belle Vernon Councilwoman Faces Child Sex Charges

North Belle Vernon Councilwoman Faces Child Sex Charges

Jul 29, 2010

A councilwoman in North Belle Vernon, Pittsburgh is behind bars and facing a long list of charges in the alleged assault of a teenager.



Heather Prinkey, 36, is facing several charges including statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors and indecent assault.

"Very childish and … [not very] professional, very, very rude," Jennifer Caterini, a neighbor, said. "Not well-liked is what I think – at least on this block."

Residents on Henry Street in Belle Vernon say they weren't surprised to hear Prinkey was arrested Wednesday, but the charges are shocking.

Westmoreland County detectives say Prinkey was involved in a sexual affair with one of her daughter's 13-year-old female friends.

It lasted from May 2008 to September 2009.

According to the criminal complaint, Prinkey engaged in sexual intercourse with the girl at her home when the child slept over.

Police say the incidents involved oral sex and sex toys which they say Prinkey admitted to in an interview on July 14.

Prinkey is the daughter of a minister at the Marion Presbyterian Church. She was also a youth softball coach and was active in the community.

Neighbors across the street say she was always a troublemaker.

"She broke our bedroom window between the houses here – she's just not very nice," Judy Caterini said. "And she left notes on my car, it was terrible. It was just terrible."

Officials say Prinkey resigned her post as councilwoman last week. She remains in the Westmoreland County Jail on $250,000 straight bond.

She faces a hearing on August 9.

http://kdka.com/westmoreland/Heather.Prinkey.North.2.1831465.html

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/24437440/detail.html

http://www.wpxi.com/news/24442738/detail.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38471642