LA VERNIA, Texas – A La Vernia High School teacher has been arrested and charged with having sexual relations with a student.
Taylor Vader, 26, was taken into custody and booked over the weekend, according to Wilson County Jail officials.
"We were able to respond quickly and make this arrest in less than three days," said La Vernia Police Chief Bruce Ritchey at a press conference Monday.
School administrators first heard about a possible inappropriate relationship last Wednesday. Police received an anonymous tip Thursday to substantiate the claim.
"From this tip, we interviewed several witnesses and later that evening we interviewed the victim and the victim's parents," said Ritchey.
Vader came to the La Vernia Police Department Saturday for questioning. At that point, he was arrested and charged with two counts of improper relationship between an educator and student and sexual assault of a child. He is now out on bail.
Students are being encouraged to come forward with any information on Vader and any inappropriate relationships.
"We set up a process where students know something has occurred and we've put in the processes that they know they're safe to come forward to teachers and adults on the campus," La Vernia ISD Superintendent Jose Moreno said.
Vader has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, according to a letter from Moreno to the community. He teaches physics and anatomy, as well as coaches tennis.
Click here to read the full letter from Moreno regarding the incident.