MERCER COUNTY Woman pleads guilty to 5 counts, including sex with 16-year-old boy

MERCER, Pa. -- A former cottage parent at George Junior Republic has pleaded guilty to institutional sexual assault and other charges, admitting she had sexual contact with a 16-year-old boy in her charge.
Amy M. Anderson, 33, of Amsterdam Road, Liberty Township, entered guilty pleas to five counts in Mercer County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday in exchange for the district attorney's office agreeing not to file 15 other counts related to interference of a custodial relationship against her.
Atty. Timothy Bonner, assistant district attorney, said Anderson could face up to 26 years in prison.
The plea agreement was reached in July and became official in a hearing in court, Bonner said.
Anderson admitted getting sexually involved about 18 months ago with a 16-year-old boy who had been sent to the juvenile detention and education center in Pine Township.
She helped the boy escape from George Junior on Nov. 1, 2002, and three days later helped a second 16-year-old escape from the facility, police said.
Anderson and the first boy spent a couple of months on the run together, living in Niagara Falls, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and various locations in Florida. Anderson was arrested in June 2003 and remains free on bond pending sentencing.
She pleaded guilty to one count of institutional sexual assault, two counts of facilitating escape and two counts of corruption of minors.