Teacher Carol Flannigan Sentenced

(West Palm Beach, Florida) Arrested in 2004 and sentenced Monday, Carol Flannigan left the courthouse with an ankle monitor bracelet secured beneath her pantyhose.

The married former teacher will have until March 13 to get her affairs in order. She will then report back to the court to begin her prison term of five years in accordance with a plea agreement.

From Miami.com:

A former Boynton Beach elementary school music teacher charged with having a sexual relationship with an 11-year-old pupil has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Prosecutors reduced the charges to lewd and lascivious acts in exchange for Carol Lynn Flannigan's guilty plea.

Flannigan, 51, accepted the deal Monday, allowing her to avoid a possible life sentence on the original charges of capital sexual battery for her alleged 19-month relationship with the boy.

Following her prison term, Flannigan will serve 10 years of sex offender probation. She must report back to court March 13 for prison.

She'll face a 15-year sentence if she does not show up or is arrested in the meantime.

Apparently, Judge Lucy Chernow Brown did most of the talking in court with Flannigan only saying "Yes" twice. She admitted guilt for the crime of lewd and lascivious molestation and she said she understood she would be classified as a sexual offender.

One additional hurdle must be surmounted by Flannigan. A civil suit pending against her was filed by the victim and his family. The civil proceedings should commence soon.