Palmer Woman Who Had Sex With Student Seeks Work Release

The is seeking work release from prison, a decision a Northampton County judge says that he'll mull over for a few days.

According to the Easton Express-Times, Rachel L. Farrell – the former Bangor teacher serving five months in jail for having sex with a student –appeared before Judge Emil Giordano Friday morning to seek the work release.

Her defense attorney, Steven Mills, argued that Farrell, who has served half of her sentence, has a factory job waiting for her and she is being housed in the work release part of the prison, the story states.

Farrell has come before the judge once, just after being incarcerated, asking the judge for house arrest because she was unable to eat in prison.

A decision is expected Tuesday, the judge said.

Mills had said that his client was doing poorly in jail, not getting the help she needed for her mental health problems and had lost 10 pounds in 13 days.

Farell had allegedly admitted that she had had sex with two 17-year-old boys from the school. She submitted her resignation at the same time.

But in January, District Attorney John Morganelli said Farrell had affairs with up to four students, and had an extended relationship with at least one.

Only one of the students cooperated with police, however, and the district attorney dropped additional charges involving the other boys.

The age of sexual consent in Pennsylvania is 16. But “corruption of minors” is when someone older than 18 corrupts the “morals” of anyone under 18.

Farrell pleaded guilty to one charge of corrupting a minor and was sentenced to five months in Northampton County Prison.