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Manor Township police charged Michael Palmer, 23, of Parkesburg, Thursday with one count of corruption of minors.
The incident is the latest in what seems to be a trend in Lancaster County.
In recent years, a band instructor, a gospel choir leader, a band director/music teacher and an athletic coach all have been charged with having inappropriate relationships with female students.
In this case, police said Palmer and a 17-year-old girl were discovered sitting in a car around 10:30 p.m. on May 15 in Charlestown Park, which is in the 2600 block of Charlestown Road.
Police said they learned Palmer worked as a substitute teacher at Hempfield High School in 2008 between October and December.
After he left the school, police said they learned, Palmer developed a romantic relationship with one of his former female students.
The relationship continued for three or four months, police said, and included several meetings between the two.
Palmer was charged by Manor Township police Officer Colleen Tatara. He was arraigned before District Judge Leo Eckert and released on $10,000 unsecured bail pending a preliminary hearing.
According to court documents, Palmer is now working as a teacher in Downingtown, Chester County.
If convicted of the charge, Palmer could face up to five years in prison.
Those instructors whose cases have gone to Lancaster County Court and ended in conviction have received sentences ranging from probation to terms in state prison.
E-mail: jkelley@lnpnews.com
