Former teacher sentenced
Print
Email
Save
Reprints
Twitter
Share
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
A former Belaire High School art teacher was put on probation after pleading guilty Tuesday to charges that accused her of having off-campus sex with a 15-year-old male student in the fall 2007.
State District Judge Todd Hernandez actually sentenced 29-year-old Kesha D. Manuel to eight years in prison at hard labor on a felony charge of cruelty to a juvenile and six months in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a misdemeanor charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile, but suspended both terms.
Hernandez put Manuel on active supervised probation for five years on the felony charge. During that time period, the judge said Manuel cannot have any contact with the victim and cannot be employed or engaged in volunteer work that involves anyone under 17.
The judge placed Manuel on unsupervised bench probation for two years on the misdemeanor charge.
Manuel’s attorney, Bob Hester, said afterward the matter with the student was an “isolated incident.’’
Manuel admitted she and the boy met at a public library in October 2007 and had sex in a stall in the women’s restroom, according to an affidavit of probable cause. She also admitted allowing the boy to kiss and fondle her in her classroom during free periods, the affidavit said.
Hester said it doesn’t make what Manuel did right, but noted the boy was very aggressive and continued to send her notes, letters and poems even after their conduct came to light.
Manuel pleaded no contest last fall to a felony charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. She withdrew that plea Tuesday.
Prosecutor Sue Bernie told Hernandez the victim’s father agreed with the amended charges filed against Manuel and with the stipulated sentences.
Hester said outside the courtroom that a felony carnal knowledge conviction would have required Manuel, who has a 2-year-old daughter, to register as a convicted sex offender.
Manuel can never teach again, he said.
State District Judge Todd Hernandez actually sentenced 29-year-old Kesha D. Manuel to eight years in prison at hard labor on a felony charge of cruelty to a juvenile and six months in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a misdemeanor charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile, but suspended both terms.
Hernandez put Manuel on active supervised probation for five years on the felony charge. During that time period, the judge said Manuel cannot have any contact with the victim and cannot be employed or engaged in volunteer work that involves anyone under 17.
The judge placed Manuel on unsupervised bench probation for two years on the misdemeanor charge.
Manuel’s attorney, Bob Hester, said afterward the matter with the student was an “isolated incident.’’
Manuel admitted she and the boy met at a public library in October 2007 and had sex in a stall in the women’s restroom, according to an affidavit of probable cause. She also admitted allowing the boy to kiss and fondle her in her classroom during free periods, the affidavit said.
Hester said it doesn’t make what Manuel did right, but noted the boy was very aggressive and continued to send her notes, letters and poems even after their conduct came to light.
Manuel pleaded no contest last fall to a felony charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. She withdrew that plea Tuesday.
Prosecutor Sue Bernie told Hernandez the victim’s father agreed with the amended charges filed against Manuel and with the stipulated sentences.
Hester said outside the courtroom that a felony carnal knowledge conviction would have required Manuel, who has a 2-year-old daughter, to register as a convicted sex offender.
Manuel can never teach again, he said.
 | ||||
| Most Popular | Most Emailed | Hot Topics | ||
