SPRINGFIELD — A Northeastern High School teacher faces “substantial incarceration time” for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a female student, Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said.

Anthony Parker, 36, of Huber Heights, was met by deputies in the school parking lot Monday, Jan. 11, and later was arrested on four counts of sexual battery for engaging in a sexual relationship with an underage student in the fall and early winter, said Kelly, who declined to release the victim’s age.

“This is a continuing and ongoing investigation,” the sheriff said. “We expect to take our entire case to a Clark County Grand Jury.”

Parker, who also coached girls basketball at Franklin High School during the 2006-07 school year and taught in Middletown City Schools from 1998 to 2003, is in custody in the Clark County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.

Sheriff’s deputies began investigating Parker Dec. 28 after school officials reported they had overheard students talking about a possible “inappropriate” relationship, said Kelly.

“They have been very helpful and cooperative in this investigation,” said Kelly.

There are no previous disciplinary actions or concerns in Parker’s personnel file at Northeastern, where he has taught social studies since 2003.

Authorities are unsure how Parker made initial contact with the victim, said Kelly.

“This man is in a position of trust within a school and certainly has an opportunity to be with young people,” the sheriff said. “He has violated that trust placed in him by the administration and the community.”

Parker has been placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the charges, in accordance with Ohio law, said Northeastern Local Schools Superintendent Rick Broderick.

Broderick said that Northeastern schools places the “safety and welfare of students” first but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0373 or mgildow@coxohio.com.