On Tuesday, a female suburban Philadelphia science teacher and softball coach was arrested for having sex with a 16-year-old student.
Melissa Bonkoski, 38, a science teacher and softball coach at Owen J. Roberts High School, had been previously charged with institutional sexual assault and inappropriate contact with the student after she had been accused of kissing and touching him back in March. But then, according to the district attorney’s office, the boy’s girlfriend discovered suspicious texts on his phone, which triggered an investigation.
The boy informed Chester County detectives that in 2015, when he was in Bonkoski’s freshman science class, they exchanged text messages about schoolwork, but that progressed to messages that became more personal.
Bonkoski told police she used a “burner” phone to text with the boy because she thought the texts would be untraceable, adding, “I thought I was being smart.”
Police detectives said Bonkoski would drive the boy from work; they allegedly had “make-out” sessions in her car. The boy said he was afraid that if he stopped the sessions he would lose his ride. Bonkoski allegedly invited the boy home and offered to perform oral sex on him, leading them to have sex, according to court documents.
The boy said he tried to break off the relationship but Bonkoski kept texting him; those were the messages found by the boy’s girlfriend.
District Attorney Tom Hogan said, “Rule No. 1 if you are a teacher or a coach, do not have sex with a student. Breaking this rule is a one-way ticket to arrest, losing your job, and prison.”
Bonkowski resigned after the investigation was underway; she posted bond Tuesday after being arraigned on 12 felony counts.