Alleged text messages between Abington High School teacher, student released

ABINGTON, Pa. (WTXF) - Police have arrested a teacher from Abington Senior High, who they say was involved in a sexual relationship with a minor student.

Thomas Kummer, 55, was arrested at his Willow Grove home without incident following an investigation that stemmed from a concerned citizen's tip to police.

Kummer, a world language teacher, faces felony charges of Unlawful Contact with a Minor, Corruption of Minors, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Institutional Sexual Assault of a Minor.

According to the criminal complaint, Kummer entered into a sexual relationship with an underage female student while on a school trip to Italy in June. Kummer was listed as a chaperone.

Police say they retrieved from the student's phone a nude photo of the girl in a tub with what appeared to be a man and explicit text messages sent by a number from Kummer that read in part:

"I've fallen in love with you... We need to protect ourselves. I think you should move in with me."

Police say that before they were planning to arrest Kummer, the student's mother intercepted a text from what sounded like a panicked Kummer.

According to the affidavit, Kummer wrote: "I feel like I'm about the have a heart attack... I'm thinking I should run now... like I'm afraid to go to school on Monday..."

Kummer's text came after the student let him know police just returned her phone and computer.

Police say they moved in on Kummer right away based on a previous text saying, "I have 2 emergency tickets to the Caribbean, I want to be on a plane with you..."

Anyone with information regarding the matter is asked to contact Det. Cindy Pettinato at 267-536-1098.