Irvine Police Suspect Teacher of 'Inappropriate' Relationship with Student

A University High School teacher was arrested on suspicion of having an "inappropriate" relationship with one of his students, Irvine police reported today.

Michael Jay Granger, 32, of Irvine, was arrested Monday night and was released from Orange County Jail this morning after posting $100,000 bail.

The student's parents discovered a "string of suspicious text messages" between their child and the teacher, prompting the parents to check her social media accounts, which indicated the suspect and the teen had physical contact, according to Irvine police Lt. Julia Engen.

The parents came forward to police on Monday and Granger was booked on suspicion of lewd conduct with a child, Engen said.

Granger has been in contact with the alleged victim since the beginning of the school year last September, Engen said.

Granger has been put on leave, said Irvine Unified School District spokesman Ian Hanigan.

"This allegation is deeply concerning and one we're taking very seriously," he said.

Granger has taught English at University High since 2004, Hanigan said. He also taught a social sciences class in 2009-10 and a leadership class in 2006-08, the spokesman said.

--City News Service