Former School Employee Accused Of Inappropriate Relationship With Student

By Jim Melwert

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A former employee of Plymouth Whitemarsh High School is facing charges he had an inappropriate relationship with a student, including an encounter in the light-and-sound booth of the high school auditorium.

Investigators say 26-year-old Michael Morse, working as an audio visual technician at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, sent thousands of text messages to a senior at the school, many of those sexual in nature, some sent during school hours. And, police say, the two had sex in the lighting and sound booth of the auditorium in May.

Although the student was 18 when they had sex, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman says Morse still broke the law now facing a felony Institutional Sexual Assault charge.

"When a school employee – someone particularly entrusted with the welfare of a student at the facility -- takes advantage of the connection they have and develops an inappropriate relationship."

Ferman says Colonial School District contacted police as soon as they were made aware of the charges. Morse was immediately suspended, and has since resigned.