SOUTH BEND -- A former Elkhart teacher and coach charged with child seduction entered a guilty plea Monday, but will not be going to jail, according to WNDU, The Elkhart Truth's reporting partner.
Dennis Jay, 36, faced three counts of felony child seduction. Jay allegedly had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student while he was employed as a teacher at Elkhart Central High School. On Monday, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery as part of a plea deal and was sentenced to six months, but prison time was suspended.
He was fired in October after school officials determined he violated directions to stop contacting a female student. He had been placed on administrative leave Sept. 3.
Jay was formerly employed as a U.S. history teacher and boys varsity soccer head coach at Central. Before working at Central in 2007, Jay taught world history and coached soccer for five years at Memorial High School.
He also coached four seasons of soccer with Mishawaka schools.
He will be on probation for a year.