A FORMER student teacher in Connecticut accused of having a sexual relationship with a pupil told police that she "loved" him, officials said.

Tayler Ivy Boncal, 22, was charged with sexual assault after reports that she was involved with an 18-year-old student at Conard High School in West Hartford, according to the Hartford Courant.

Boncal, of Beacon Falls, allegedly met the teenager in December while employed as a student teacher at the school.

After she completed her fall student teaching stint, she remained on staff as an assistant athletics coach, the newspaper reported.

The teenager told police that they began texting December 13 after he asked for her phone number.

Police said Boncal invited the teenager to her home on numerous occasions and they had sex.

"She stated that the victim was kind to her," police said. "Boncal stated that she loved the victim and was emotional regarding her feelings for him."

A concerned parent notified the assistant superintendent for administration in West Hartford, Dr Andrew Morrow, Fox 61 reported.

Boncal reportedly turned herself into police.

Despite the boy's age, a state statute prohibits sexual relations between teachers and their students.

A spokesman for the Town of West Hartford said the couple were in love. The student's parents have asked that she not be prosecuted.

She joined Conard High School in December 2017 and was fired just over a year later in January 2018.

School officials announced that the 22-year-old was removed from her coaching position, according to the Hartford Courant.

"As educators, we are entrusted to protect and educate all of our students and know there are certain boundaries that can never be crossed," Principal Julio Duarte said in a letter last week to parents. "Also, we will not tolerate any behaviour that compromises the safety or wellbeing of our students.

"I hope you will not let the misconduct of this one individual cast a shadow over all of our staff members who demonstrate their commitment to our students every day."

This story was originally published in the New York Post and is reprinted with permission.