Cops: Ward Melville High teacher charged with sexual abuse

A Ward Melville High School science teacher has been arrested on charges that he sexually abused a female student, Suffolk police said Tuesday.

Stephen Malusa, 47, a tenured teacher, was arrested Monday by Special Victims Section detectives after an investigation revealed he abused a female student in May 2013, police said.

Malusa, of Seminole Street in Selden, was charged with third-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors. Third-degree sexual abuse generally is when a person improperly touches another in a sexual way without consent. He was arraigned yesterday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Jail officials said Malusa is being held in Riverhead and did not post bail, listed as $15,000 cash or $45,000 bond.

Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich said the district notified police when it learned of the accusations. "The district is disturbed by these allegations," she said in a statement. She said Malusa, who has been employed with the district since September 2002, would not work with students until the case is resolved.

Police said tips can be phoned to the Special Victims Section at 631-852-6531 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477.