A Hays County jury sentenced Andrew Palmore to life in prison for the continuous sexual abuse of children, the DA’s office said.
SAN MARCOS, Texas — A former Hays CISD teacher has been sentenced to life in prison for the continuous sexual abuse of children, the Hays County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday, Oct. 17.
A Hays County jury found Andrew Palmore, 53, guilty and sentenced him on Thursday, Oct. 16, to life without the possibility of parole.
The Kyle Police Department began investigating Palmore, a former teacher at Blanco Vista Elementary School, in 2022 after receiving reports of child sexual abuse. The first report came from a minor who was not a Blanco Vista student.
Investigators said evidence surfaced during a separate San Marcos Police Department investigation involving another child. Palmore later admitted to sexually abusing three children, including one involved in that San Marcos case.
The investigation also uncovered additional victims – former elementary-aged students of Palmore’s at Casey Elementary School in Austin during the 2000s.
During the trial, jurors heard testimony from six child victims and two adult women who said Palmore abused them while he taught at Casey Elementary, according to the district attorney’s office. Prosecutors said Palmore used his position as a teacher to gain access to and the trust of children, parents and the community.
Palmore’s admitted abuse spanned more than two decades, according to prosecutors.
Hays County Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Schmidt released the following statement:
“Children are the most vulnerable members of our society, and today, the children of Hays County have been made safer by ensuring a dangerous sexual predator will never have access to another child again. Bringing this predator to justice was truly a team and community effort. We’d like to thank Det. Carrasco for his hard work, thoroughly investigating this case that led to the discovery of victims that spanned the defendant’s 20-year career as a teacher, the brave survivors who stood up to their offender, the victim assistant coordinator who demonstrated extraordinary powers in managing to keep everything on track and all of the witnesses who testified in the trial. We also appreciate the time and attention of the jurors who rendered justice. We hope the victims find some measure of reassurance knowing that they are safer, and they have the community’s support.”