Former Coach Faces Felony For Giving Student ‘Morning-After’ Pill

A former LBJ High School girls basketball and volleyball coach is facing a felony charge for giving “”morning-after”” pills to a student who was worried she might be pregnant, according to an arrest affidavit issued Wednesday.

Tracy Lee Steinberg, a 32-year-old assistant coach who played a key role in LBJ’s first trip to the girls state basketball tournament last year, is facing a charge of delivery of a dangerous drug after the incident at the Northeast Austin school, the affidavit said.

Steinberg, who has since resigned from her position as coach and math teacher, declined to comment on the case Wednesday but expressed support for her students.

“I still love and care about all my students, I always have and always will, Steinberg said after she was booked and released on the charge Wednesday afternoon. I always put their needs before my own.”

On Wednesday, she said, several students sent her messages saying they would support her in the case.

Nearly a year ago, the LBJ Jaguars were among the final four teams at the UIL girls’ state basketball tournament, with a 28-4 record that some said coincided with a new strength and conditioning program led by Steinberg, who was hired in August 2010.

An arrest affidavit Wednesday said Steinberg gave two morning-after pills to a 16-year-old student who was crying in her class in late January because she had unprotected sex with her boyfriend, the affidavit said.

The incident occurred on or about Jan. 26, the affidavit said.

The student did not have a prescription for the medication, which is required for girls younger than 17, the affidavit said.

“It’s considered a dangerous drug because it requires a prescription, said Capt. Eric Mendez with the Austin school district police department.

Steinberg told the student that she and her boyfriend had bright futures, and (Steinberg) could help her out by getting her a ‘morning-after’ emergency contraceptive pill, the affidavit said.

The student and her boyfriend gave money to Steinberg, who said she then purchased the medication at a Planned Parenthood in North Austin, the affidavit said.

Steinberg returned in about an hour and gave (the student) two pills and a Sprite, the affidavit said. Steinberg warned the student she could experience side effects, such as a menstrual period, the affidavit said.

Later, the student texted Steinberg to say she was nauseated, lightheaded and experiencing back pain, the affidavit said. The student also said she was frightened, the affidavit said.

Steinberg texted back this was normal, and to take a hot shower and relax, the affidavit said.

The girl then reported the incident to her mother, who reported it to school police, the affidavit said. Soon after, Steinberg was placed on administrative leave with pay, pending an investigation, and she resigned Feb. 1, according to the affidavit and school officials.

Steinberg initially denied to police she gave the medication to the student but confessed under further questioning, the affidavit said.

Steinberg expressed anger at (the student), blaming her for getting in trouble, the affidavit said.

, Former Coach Faces Felony For Giving Student ‘Morning-After’ Pill

American-Statesman, Claudia Grisales & Melissa Taboada

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/coach-facing-felony-for-giving-student-morning-after-2160722.html

A former LBJ High School girls basketball and volleyball coach is facing a felony charge for giving morning-after” pills to a student who was worried she might be pregnant, according to an arrest affidavit issued Wednesday.

Tracy Lee Steinberg, a 32-year-old assistant coach who played a key role in LBJ’s first trip to the girls state basketball tournament last year, is facing a charge of delivery of a dangerous drug after the incident at the Northeast Austin school, the affidavit said.

Steinberg, who has since resigned from her position as coach and math teacher, declined to comment on the case Wednesday but expressed support for her students.

“I still love and care about all my students, I always have and always will, Steinberg said after she was booked and released on the charge Wednesday afternoon. I always put their needs before my own.”

On Wednesday, she said, several students sent her messages saying they would support her in the case.

Nearly a year ago, the LBJ Jaguars were among the final four teams at the UIL girls’ state basketball tournament, with a 28-4 record that some said coincided with a new strength and conditioning program led by Steinberg, who was hired in August 2010.

An arrest affidavit Wednesday said Steinberg gave two morning-after pills to a 16-year-old student who was crying in her class in late January because she had unprotected sex with her boyfriend, the affidavit said.

The incident occurred on or about Jan. 26, the affidavit said.

The student did not have a prescription for the medication, which is required for girls younger than 17, the affidavit said.

“It’s considered a dangerous drug because it requires a prescription, said Capt. Eric Mendez with the Austin school district police department.

Steinberg told the student that she and her boyfriend had bright futures, and (Steinberg) could help her out by getting her a ‘morning-after’ emergency contraceptive pill, the affidavit said.

The student and her boyfriend gave money to Steinberg, who said she then purchased the medication at a Planned Parenthood in North Austin, the affidavit said.

Steinberg returned in about an hour and gave (the student) two pills and a Sprite, the affidavit said. Steinberg warned the student she could experience side effects, such as a menstrual period, the affidavit said.

Later, the student texted Steinberg to say she was nauseated, lightheaded and experiencing back pain, the affidavit said. The student also said she was frightened, the affidavit said.

Steinberg texted back this was normal, and to take a hot shower and relax, the affidavit said.

The girl then reported the incident to her mother, who reported it to school police, the affidavit said. Soon after, Steinberg was placed on administrative leave with pay, pending an investigation, and she resigned Feb. 1, according to the affidavit and school officials.

Steinberg initially denied to police she gave the medication to the student but confessed under further questioning, the affidavit said.

Steinberg expressed anger at (the student), blaming her for getting in trouble, ” the affidavit said.