Angela Palmares was removed from Llano ISD’s substitute list after the district reported the allegation to investigators.
LLANO, TX — A former Llano Independent School District substitute teacher has been arrested on a felony charge after authorities said the district reported an alleged improper relationship between the educator and a student.
Angela Palmares faces a charge of improper relationship between an educator and a student, a second-degree felony, the Llano County Sheriff’s Office said. The case moved quickly after the school district notified law enforcement April 21. District officials removed Palmares from the list of available substitute teachers, and sheriff’s investigators opened a criminal case the next day. Authorities said the investigation remains active, and several details, including the student’s age and the full nature of the alleged relationship, have not been released.
The case began when Llano ISD contacted the sheriff’s office about what officials described as an alleged improper relationship involving a substitute teacher and a student. Llano ISD Superintendent Mac Edwards later told families that the matter involved “inappropriate communication with students, specifically through a social media platform outside of the school day.” Edwards said the district had contacted families of students who may have been affected. He said the district takes such allegations seriously and remains committed to a safe and supportive school environment. The district said it could not provide more details because of personnel and student privacy concerns.
Sheriff’s investigators said they conducted interviews and collected evidence before obtaining an arrest warrant for Palmares. Authorities then worked with the Texas Department of Public Safety Fusion Center to locate her. Investigators believed she was in the Temple area, and the sheriff’s office coordinated with the Bell County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Apprehension Unit. Palmares was found in Bell County and taken into custody without incident, officials said. Jail records cited in reports showed a $150,000 bond. It was not immediately clear whether she had entered a plea or retained an attorney.
Palmares had worked as a substitute teacher for Llano ISD, a public school district in the Texas Hill Country northwest of Austin. District officials said she last worked for the district April 2. After the allegation was reported, she was removed from the substitute roster, cutting off her ability to be called for future classroom assignments. The district has not named the campus involved, and authorities have not said whether the alleged communication occurred on school property, on personal devices or through district systems. Officials also have not said how many students were directly involved.
The charge falls under Texas law covering improper relationships between school employees and students. The offense can include sexual contact, certain sexually explicit communications or other conduct barred between an educator and a student connected to the educator’s school or district. A second-degree felony in Texas can carry a prison term of two to 20 years and a fine of up to $10,000 if a person is convicted. A charge is an accusation, and Palmares is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The Llano County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is continuing to review the case. Investigators have not announced additional charges, a court date or a public briefing. The sheriff’s office said the case remains open, meaning detectives may still be reviewing electronic records, interviewing witnesses and gathering material tied to the allegation. Because the case involves a student, officials have released limited information. The school district also has framed its public statements around privacy limits while saying it has contacted families connected to the matter.
The arrest drew attention beyond Llano County because it involved a school employee and a student in a small Hill Country district. Local and national outlets published the booking photo released by authorities and repeated the district’s statement about social media communication outside the school day. The sheriff’s office said the arrest was made without incident, and no injuries were reported in connection with the arrest. The public record so far does not include a detailed affidavit describing the alleged messages, the platform used or the timeline of the communications.
The case now remains with Llano County investigators and the court system. As of Wednesday, April 29, no public update had announced a plea, indictment or hearing date.
Author note: Last updated April 29, 2026.