Ex-Chester County Teacher Arrested For Sex With Student: DA

WEST CHESTER, PA — A former teacher in Chester County has been charged with having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student in her science class, the District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday.

Melissa Bonkoski, 38, of Stowe, had been arrested earlier on August on allegations of inappropriate contact, authorities said. But she is now being charged with having "actual sex" with the student, DA Tom Hogan said.

Bonkoski was a science teacher and softball coach at Owen J. Roberts High School.

An investigation was launched in early July when the victim's girlfriend found texts on his phone from Bonkoski, according to a criminal complaint. Bonkoski had purchased a burner phone strictly for communicating with the victim.

Their relationship progressed in the summer and fall of 2016 after Bonkoski began offering the victim rides home. Eventually she invited him in to her house and had sex with him in Dec. of 2016, the complaint alleges.

The victim said he tried to cut off contact with Bonkoski but that she continued to text him on the burner phone, leading to his girlfriend eventually discovering the texts.

Bonkoski now faces charges of institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, and related offenses.

A preliminary hearing is forthcoming.

Anyone with any further information on this case should contact Chester County Detective Christine Bleiler at 610-344-6866.

Image via Chester County District Attorney's Office