Thursday, June 21, 2012
Judge: Student-sex teacher can stay in jail
EASTON, Pa. (AP) — A judge has denied a former Pennsylvania teacher’s request for a reduced sentence after she pleaded guilty to having sex with one of her students.
Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano says 26-year-old Rachel Farrell is stuck with her five-month sentence.
Farrell pleaded guilty in April to corrupting a minor. Farrell told the judge she agreed with his sentencing decision earlier this month, but then filed an appeal.
On Wednesday, Giordano told Farrell he needed to send a message that children would be safe in schools.
The former Bangor Area High School teacher admitted having sex with a 17-year-old 11th-grader starting in August 2010.
Farrell’s attorney told the judge his client hadn’t been eating during her incarceration and required mental health treatment.