LEXINGTON, Neb., Nov. 7, 2007

Bail Denied For "Runaway" Nebraska Teacher

13-Year-Old Student Claims His Relationship With Kelsey Peterson Was Sexual

    • Teacher Vans leave the United States Federal courthouse in El Centro, Calif., Nov. 5, 2007 believed to be transporting Nebraska school teacher Kelsey Peterson to a local jail after her arraignment.Kelsey Peterson and student Fernando Rodriguez.

      Teacher Vans leave the United States Federal courthouse in El Centro, Calif., Nov. 5, 2007 believed to be transporting Nebraska school teacher Kelsey Peterson to a local jail after her arraignment.Kelsey Peterson and student Fernando Rodriguez.  (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

    • This photo provided by the Imperial County Sheriff's Office, shows Kelsey Peterson, 25, in El Centro, Calif, on Nov. 5, 2007.

      This photo provided by the Imperial County Sheriff's Office, shows Kelsey Peterson, 25, in El Centro, Calif, on Nov. 5, 2007.  (AP Photo)

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(AP)  A judge denied bail Wednesday for a 25-year-old teacher accused of fleeing to Mexico with a 13-year-old student, and the woman agreed to be transferred from California to Nebraska to face the charges.

Kelsey Peterson's court-appointed attorney argued for $100,000 bail, but a federal magistrate judge in El Centro ruled she was a flight risk.

Peterson showed no emotion as she told the judge that she agreed to be transferred. She smiled weakly at her attorney when she left the courtroom.

The 13-year-old who fled from Nebraska with Peterson told The Associated Press his friendship with the teacher led to sex.

"I had problems in Lexington and I wanted to get away, but it was a bad idea," he said in an interview Tuesday at a home in Janitzio, Mexico, where he is staying with a family friend temporarily. "Now I can't go back."

The boy immigrated illegally to the U.S. when he was much younger and speaks little Spanish. He shed no tears while Peterson wept as the two parted Friday night at a police station in the border city of Mexicali, according to the Mexican official who captured the pair.

"She said to the youngster that she loved him and would always love him in her heart," said Alfredo Arenas Moreno of the Baja California state police.

Quote

She said to the youngster that she loved him and would always love him in her heart

Alfredo Arenas Moreno, Baja California state police
The boy said the trip was Peterson's idea, but he went along with it.

He said he had sex with the teacher while they were in Lexington, Nebraska, a meatpacking town that has seen a large influx of Mexican immigrants.

"It didn't happen that many times," he said. "It happened maybe twice, I think."

The boy called his former teacher "my best friend" but said she was not his girlfriend.

The AP had previously named the boy but later removed his name because the most recent charges allege he was the victim of a sex crime.

Peterson is charged with taking a minor across state lines with the intention of having sex with him.

© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by ladyephesus1 November 7, 2007 11:40 PM EST
The Teacher needs psychological help.
She obviously doesnt understand what she has done.
Telling him she loves him in front of everyone and newscrew is insane. She needs help asap.

Poor little kid doesnt even know shes in big trouble.

This story is crazy as all get out.
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by likeitis5050 November 7, 2007 10:48 PM EST
Tuesday at a home in Janitzio, Mexico, where he is staying with a family friend temporarily. "Now I can''t go back."


Wanna bet? Money says he''ll be back in someone''s living room watching tv by this time next week.
Reply to this comment
by book54552134 November 7, 2007 9:51 PM EST
A couple of facts of which most Americans are unaware -

- Nearly 90% of pedophiles are heterosexual.

- Nearly 20% of pedophiles are women.
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