A former teacher accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student for nearly a year accepted a plea deal and was sentenced Monday.
The accused, a 27-year old woman, was charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse and two counts of aggravated battery. These are likely amended charges as part of the plea since those charges would not result in a sex offender designation for the accused.
The accused faced a possible maximum sentence of up to 90 years in prison.
The state offered her two choices: 10 years of probation and a lifelong label as a sex offender or a three-year prison sentence with five years of probation and no label as a sex offender. The accused chose the sentence with three-year prison term. She also will lose her teaching license.
The allegations state that while employed as a middle school teacher in Broward County, the accused carried on a sexual relationship with a 14-year old boy.
Technically, the accused is sentenced to 90 years in prison, but the sentence will be mitigated to the three years in prison and five years of probation provided she turn herself on a designated surrender date. If she is not there on time, Judge Lisa Porter made it clear that she will get the full 90 years. These types of surrenders are common when out-of-custody defendants accept pleas that include prison time.
Eric Matheny can be reached at (305) 777-3855.