A Lancaster County substitute teacher is facing multiple felony charges in connection with a child sexual abuse material investigation, according to the West Earl Township Police Department. Video above: Headlines from WGAL News 8 Today. Police said the investigation began Feb. 10 after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving an online account that uploaded a file containing suspected child sexual abuse material. Authorities said the investigation led them to an internet protocol address tied to East Jackson Street in New Holland. Search warrant executedAccording to court documents, police executed a search warrant on March 25 and seized four electronic devices believed to belong to Alexis Zane, 26, of New Holland.During an interview with police, Zane acknowledged using a Kik account connected to the investigation and admitted sending a video Zane described as an “illegal video,” the documents stated. Police said Zane told investigators the video was sent after someone on Kik offered $15 in exchange for it. Additional material found, police sayAccording to court documents, investigators later found additional videos and images on a Samsung Galaxy phone they said was used by Zane.The affidavit alleges the material included videos and images involving a minor child, as well as other files investigators described as depicting indecent contact with a minor.Charges filedPolice said Zane is charged in the child sexual abuse material case with multiple offenses, including: Photographing, videotaping, depicting on a computer or filming sexual actsDissemination of photographs, videotapes, computer depictions and filmsChild sexual abuse materialAggravated indecent assaultIndecent assaultUnlawful contact with minorsCorruption of minorsCriminal use of a communication facilityEndangering the welfare of childrenSeparate assault at behavioral health hospitalIn a separate incident, police said a registered nurse at Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, on Harrisburg Avenue, reported being assaulted by a patient on April 11. According to court documents, the nurse told investigators she was helping staff with a patient, identified as Alexis Zane, when Zane became upset, charged at her and pushed her into a wall. Police said the nurse’s elbow was struck against the wall, causing swelling, tenderness and pain that made her arm stiff and difficult to move. In this case, Zane was charged with aggravated assault. Zane was arrested on April 13 and committed to Lancaster County Prison without bail. Removed from teachingOn Friday, News 8 confirmed Zane’s employment with Substitute Teacher Service Inc. The company’s HR manager said Zane was removed from the job once they learned about the criminal charges. Substitute Teacher Service (STS) Inc. is a company that helps fill teaching and support staff positions with more than 80 districts across Pennsylvania. The HR manager told News 8, Zane only worked out of the Eastern Lancaster County School District during their employment with STS. They said Zane has not worked a shift through them since October of 2025.School district responseAfter learning about Zane’s employment, News 8’s Sarah Metts reached out to the Eastern Lancaster County School District. Superintendent Michael Snopkowski provided the following statement:”As a school district we are very concerned about any instances in which a child may be harmed by the actions of another. We will be communicating with our parents and caregivers this afternoon what we are aware of and how they can share any information they may have regarding this investigation with the West Earl Police Department. As in any instance in which a student may need to speak with or meet with a member of our administrative or counseling team, we will make sure they have that access and are able to get the support that they need.”News 8’s Sarah Metts followed up with the superintendent to ask about which schools Zane filled in at and when. Snopkowski declined to comment, saying that information would need to come from Zane’s direct employer.”As a school district, and as part of any agreements with contractors who work with our children, all background checks and trainings must be completed as required by law prior to being in any of our schools or classrooms,” said Snopkowski.When asked about the future of the district working with this contractor, Snopkowski said no decisions have been made.See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.
NEW HOLLAND, Pa. —
A Lancaster County substitute teacher is facing multiple felony charges in connection with a child sexual abuse material investigation, according to the West Earl Township Police Department.
Video above: Headlines from WGAL News 8 Today.
Police said the investigation began Feb. 10 after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving an online account that uploaded a file containing suspected child sexual abuse material.
Authorities said the investigation led them to an internet protocol address tied to East Jackson Street in New Holland.
Search warrant executed
According to court documents, police executed a search warrant on March 25 and seized four electronic devices believed to belong to Alexis Zane, 26, of New Holland.
West Earl Township Police Department
Alexis Zane
During an interview with police, Zane acknowledged using a Kik account connected to the investigation and admitted sending a video Zane described as an “illegal video,” the documents stated.
Police said Zane told investigators the video was sent after someone on Kik offered $15 in exchange for it.
Additional material found, police say
According to court documents, investigators later found additional videos and images on a Samsung Galaxy phone they said was used by Zane.
The affidavit alleges the material included videos and images involving a minor child, as well as other files investigators described as depicting indecent contact with a minor.
Charges filed
Police said Zane is charged in the child sexual abuse material case with multiple offenses, including:
Photographing, videotaping, depicting on a computer or filming sexual actsDissemination of photographs, videotapes, computer depictions and filmsChild sexual abuse materialAggravated indecent assaultIndecent assaultUnlawful contact with minorsCorruption of minorsCriminal use of a communication facilityEndangering the welfare of childrenSeparate assault at behavioral health hospital
In a separate incident, police said a registered nurse at Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, on Harrisburg Avenue, reported being assaulted by a patient on April 11.
According to court documents, the nurse told investigators she was helping staff with a patient, identified as Alexis Zane, when Zane became upset, charged at her and pushed her into a wall.
Police said the nurse’s elbow was struck against the wall, causing swelling, tenderness and pain that made her arm stiff and difficult to move.
In this case, Zane was charged with aggravated assault.
Zane was arrested on April 13 and committed to Lancaster County Prison without bail.
Removed from teaching
On Friday, News 8 confirmed Zane’s employment with Substitute Teacher Service Inc.
The company’s HR manager said Zane was removed from the job once they learned about the criminal charges.
Substitute Teacher Service (STS) Inc. is a company that helps fill teaching and support staff positions with more than 80 districts across Pennsylvania.
The HR manager told News 8, Zane only worked out of the Eastern Lancaster County School District during their employment with STS. They said Zane has not worked a shift through them since October of 2025.
School district response
After learning about Zane’s employment, News 8’s Sarah Metts reached out to the Eastern Lancaster County School District. Superintendent Michael Snopkowski provided the following statement:
“As a school district we are very concerned about any instances in which a child may be harmed by the actions of another. We will be communicating with our parents and caregivers this afternoon what we are aware of and how they can share any information they may have regarding this investigation with the West Earl Police Department. As in any instance in which a student may need to speak with or meet with a member of our administrative or counseling team, we will make sure they have that access and are able to get the support that they need.”
News 8’s Sarah Metts followed up with the superintendent to ask about which schools Zane filled in at and when.
Snopkowski declined to comment, saying that information would need to come from Zane’s direct employer.
“As a school district, and as part of any agreements with contractors who work with our children, all background checks and trainings must be completed as required by law prior to being in any of our schools or classrooms,” said Snopkowski.
When asked about the future of the district working with this contractor, Snopkowski said no decisions have been made.
See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.