This is the first time I've read this thread and a little surprised this is "THE" thread.

As a teacher, I think the man made a poor choice, but, if they are in love, they are in love. Like LH said, it depends on the state. If in NC the legal age of consent is 16, then they did nothing wrong. Teachers, however, for one reason or another, are held to a higher standard when it comes to this stuff. I'm too old now and too fat for kids to have a crush on me, but, I know there are kids that have crushes on their teachers. Sometimes it's just that, and other times, AFTER the student gets out of school they date and marry. I had one of my student teachers fall in love with and marry one of his students (that was when he was student teaching in high school). They had a couple of kids, unfortunately, they are divorcing, but, I seriously doubt it has anything to do with him being her teacher 12 years ago.

I also agree with Liz that the parents obviously were oblivious to their daughter's goings on and when they figured it out, it was "too late".

Honestly, when it comes right down to it, it's no one's business but theirs. Just a thought or 2 from an oldster teacher.