Teacher Jennifer Leigh Rice Gets 25 Years - Updated

(Tacoma, Washington) Earlier today, former elementary school teacher Jennifer Leigh Rice was sentenced by Pierce County Superior Court Judge Gary Steiner to 25 years to life in prison.

"This was a terrible violation of trust," Steiner told Rice before imposing her sentence. "I think the acts themselves speak to the significance of the crime."

Rice made no excuses for her behavior and recognized the hurt she's caused to many people.

"I am desperately sorry for what I have done," Rice said. "My behavior was careless, impulsive and selfish.

"I am here today as a result of my poor decisions."

The victims' family has filed suit against three school systems claiming negligent hiring practices and inadequate supervision.

* * * * *
Teacher Jennifer Leigh Rice Guilty of Child Sex - Updated
[Previous 4/21/09 post]
(Tacoma, Washington) Yesterday, 33-year-old former grade school teacher Jennifer Leigh Rice was convicted of kidnapping and raping a 10-year-old boy and raping his 15-year-old brother.

Both sides stipulated the facts in Pierce County Superior Court, and Judge D. Gary Steiner convicted 33-year-old Jennifer Leigh Rice of first-degree kidnapping with sexual motivation, first-degree child molesting and two counts of third-degree child rape.

Rice faces 25 years or more in prison when sentenced on June 5.

* * * * *
Teacher Jennifer Leigh Rice Child-Sex Case
[Previous 9/13/07 post]
(Tacoma, Washington) In August 2007, a 31-year-old fourth-grade teacher at McKinley Elementary School, Jennifer Leigh Rice, was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a 10-year-old boy for sex.

Rice's arrest came about four months after the Tacoma School District investigated her for socializing with students outside the school setting. Rice remains in custody at the Pierce County Jail with bail set at $500,000.

Yesterday, the Pierce County prosecutor filed new charges against Rice. She now faces six counts of first-degree child rape, four counts of first-degree child molestation and two counts of third-degree child rape involving two youths.

The first-degree child rape and child molestation charges pertain to the boy she kidnapped. The third-degree child rape charge involve another boy, between 14 and 16 years of age, who Rice allegedly molested between July 10th and August 20th.

Rice pleaded not guilty to the new charges.