A former assistant basketball coach at King’s Way Christian School pleaded not guilty Wednesday to having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student.
Kyley J. Allworth, 29, was arraigned on two counts of first-degree sexual misconduct relating to incidents in February and March.
Allworth was supposed to retain an attorney prior to her arraignment, but she told the judge she didn’t have enough money to hire a lawyer because she is no longer working. She resigned her position as an assistant librarian and coach four days prior to her March 13 arrest. She remains in jail.
“My husband and I are separated and I have no spousal support whatsoever,” Allworth said.
Judge Daniel Stahnke appointed attorney Diane Sweet to represent Allworth.
Trial was set for May 21.
According to court documents, Allworth allegedly had sexual contact with the girl eight times between Feb. 24 and March 8. The alleged victim said the contact occurred at the school and the First Church of God, located next to the school in the 3300 block of Northeast 78th Street.
Clark County sheriff’s Detective Beth Luvera said there were no allegations the sex acts were committed against the girl’s will. Washington’s abuse of trust statute makes it a crime for a teacher or coach to have sex with a student.
“It was a mentor relationship that progressed,” Luvera said.
The allegations came to light when Allworth notified the school of her resignation. School officials alerted Clark County sheriff’s investigators.
Interviewed by detectives, “Allworth said she was aware that her conduct with (the alleged victim) could result in criminal charges and accepted full responsibility for her actions,” according to the probable cause affidavit.
The executive pastor of First Church of God has said Allworth never had any previous problems with the school and that school officials and students were stunned over the allegations.
Allworth’s cousin, Mike White, attended Wednesday’s brief hearing and spoke in support of Allworth, but also said he was heartbroken for the school.
“Kyley was so loved and trusted” at King’s Way, White said.
Laura McVicker: www.twitter.com/col_courts; www.facebook.com; laura.mcvicker@columbian.com; 360-735-4516.
