Reprieve For Teacher Who Had Sex With Teen

Florida Judge Won't Punish Teacher For Violating Probation On Sex Charge

(CBS/AP)  A Florida judge has ruled that a teacher who admitted having sex with a middle school student has violated her probation, but he has decided not to tack on extra punishment to her sentence.

The judge found Debra Lafave violated her probation when she chatted with a 17-year-old co-worker about sex. But the judge says it was neither a "willful nor substantial" breach.

Lafave struck up work-place friendship at a Tampa-area restaurant where she was waiting tables, reports CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella.

She talked about her personal life, including sex and boyfriends, with her teenaged female co-worker, according to a Department of Corrections report.

The probation department kept tabs on Lafave at the restaurant regularly. But in November 2007, the probation department did learn that she had this ongoing friendship with a teenaged girl from about October 2006 until November 2007. And that's when they brought the charges against her because it's a violation of one of the 48 conditions of her house arrest, TruTV In Session correspondent Beth Karas told CBS' The Early Show.

Lafave smiled and pumped her fist after hearing the judge's ruling. Lafave's attorney, John Fitzgibbons, said authorities were targeting his client because she was within days of completing two years of supervised release.

Scott Fitzpatrick, the attorney for the 17-year-old girl at the heart of the new accusations, says their conversations were nothing more than "girl talk."

"It was, you know, small talk, chit-chat, between themselves," Fitzpatrick told The Early Show. "It was typical employee and co-worker-type conversations."

Restaurant owner Scott Griffin also came to Lafave's defense.

"I never saw her act inappropriately or do anything to suggest that she would do anything inappropriate," said restaurant owner Scott Griffin.

Lafave pleaded guilty to having sex with a student in 2004.

In 2005, the victim's mother pressed for a plea deal so her son wouldn't have to testify, reports Cobiella.

She apologized to the boy and to his family and said she was undergoing therapy.

Lafave is serving three years house arrest and seven years probation.

[logicanada]

It''s truly amazing that this is a story, yet the gang-rape of Jamie Lee Jones at the hands of Halliburton contractors in Iraq goes virtually uncovered.

[kattyclayz]

I don''t think that she should have gotten off with house arrest anyway. The charge was rape, she was convicted on 48 counts, she should be in jail.

[michellem99-2009]

Yer right a male he be locked up. A woman should as well. Paws off. Mum used this term *jail bait*. That is what it is.

[Krazcarl]

NOTHING but a pretty *** the world is full of them.

[sgtrds]

apparently rape is justified if you are "hot". you only get house arrest. what a joke.

Posted by RealTalk5950 at 01:18 PM : Jan 10, 2008

It really hasn''t much to do with her being hot. I remember being 14 years old (barely) and in the grip of raging hormones. At that age I and any of my male friends, would have jumped at the chance to have *** with an UGLY female teacher.

[sgtrds]

Believe me, if I had a teacher that looked like that when I was in school, I would not have told anyone for fear that I wouldn''''t get any more of it.

Posted by dmotte at 11:35 AM : Jan 10, 2008

RAmen!

[realtalk5950]

tomanyt is correct in that many males have done hard prison time for *** with 14 year old girls.


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Posted by NameVerified at 12:46 PM : Jan 10, 2008

Correct. So why shouldn''t this woman? because she''s some blonde hoochie pedophile who can''t get any from a man her own age?? apparently rape is justified if you are "hot". you only get house arrest. what a joke.

[dmotte]

Godseyesore only wishes that he could have a piece of tail that looks like that.

[dmotte]

Believe me, if I had a teacher that looked like that when I was in school, I would not have told anyone for fear that I wouldn''t get any more of it.

[godseyesore-2009]

She is a pedophile and should be treated like any other pedophile, end of story.

[fizzie319]

I cannot believe that she is getting screwed for trying to have a friendship with a 17 year old girl at work. C''mon people... If you worked at nearly any food joint, particularly fast food joints or diners, it would be nearly impossible NOT to have a conversation with somebody who is under the age of 18.

[extremophil]

Bush no child left behind,,look at the dumbed down school system. Posted by MichelleM99

It''s AMAZING, but somebody managed to blame this one on Bush, too!!

[realtalk5950]

Wow, it is amazing to see you people justify this woman''s behavior just because she is so-called "hot". Oh, so she gets excused because she''s pretty?? If this were a guy, everyone in here would be saying "throw him under the jail" and "what a sicko praying on a 14 yr old girl" what a bunch of hypocrites you people are... And she''s not even good looking, she looks like one of those albino people minus the red eyes...

[annia1233]

I am a mother of a boy. As long as he had wear something to protect himself from the bugs she may carry, I had no problem after certain age, when they are already developed as males. Come on!, it is the dream of every high school kid, to have it, and to have it with a hot chick. this girl is very pretty, mature and can teach something to that kid. The truth is that males want to get as much as they can while the hormones are on their peacking. She should not have put her eyes on a student, that is not OK, but it is unreal to think that a developed male is going to turn down a hot chick because she is few years older. that does not happen any where in the planet.

[klingon69]

The state of Florida should chastise her probation officer who seems to have a jealous grudge, which we call all imagine why. The prosecutors office should not entertain the whims of this P.O. either and remove her from the case.
Posted by Spectrum108 at 10:29 AM : Jan 10, 2008
In most states the probation/parole officers push for the harshest sentencing they can. They inform the defendent and the family/guardians in juvenile cases that they will push for it. On the other hand, the defense tries to push for leniency. Thatis just the way they do business.

[tomanyt]

If this were a guy he would not be out at all!!! Put her in jail or let all the guys that committed this same type of crime out of prison too.

[mitywhity]

She should be in jail from the first time and chit-chatting with flannel-wearing cellmates.

[gunownerdan]

Where were these hot and ***** teachers when I was in high school?

[mo005]

They are just out for blood, I think she should be left alone to move on with her life. In fact it sounds like to me the people out for her are only doing this for the fifteen minutes of fame.

[Krazcarl]

A lot of women think with there a*s this is one...