Maryland Teacher Gets Probation in Sex Case - Updated

(Cumberland, Maryland) Former teacher Autumn Leathers faced sentencing today before Allegany County Circuit Court Judge W. Timothy Finan and received a one-year suspended jail term for engaging in sex with one of her male students.

Leathers was also order to register as a sex offender and serve five years of unsupervised probation with no contact with her victim before he turns 18.

Prior to the sentencing, the court heard testimony from the victim’s mother, who detailed the impact that Leathers’ crime has had on the victim and his family.

Leathers read a statement expressing her remorse and apologizing to the victim, his family, friends, the Allegany County Board of Education, and her own family and friends.

“I understand I made the biggest mistake of my life,” said Leathers. She said she worked for five years to become a teacher, which was her lifelong goal.

Reportedly, Leathers is employed in the restaurant business in the Pittsburgh area where she now resides. It's a sad footnote to an episode that ended a promising career in education.


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Maryland Teacher Guilty of Sex with Boy - Updated
[Previous 1/27/09 post]
(Cumberland, Maryland) Twenty-five-year-old former English teacher Autumn Leathers pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of fourth-degree sex offense stemming from a three-month sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student.

In return for her guilty plea, prosecutors dropped more serious charges, including child abuse and assault.

The conviction carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail, a $1,000 fine and registration as a sex offender.

A sentencing date remains to be determined.


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Maryland Teacher Accused of Sex with Boy
[Previous 8/21/08 post]
(Frostburg, Maryland) A 24-year-old English teacher at Mountain Ridge High School, Autumn Leathers, was arrested last night for allegedly engaging in sex with a 15-year-old male student.

As a minimum, Leathers faces charges of child sex abuse and fourth-degree sex offense.

Police say a 16-year-boy told investigators he had been having sexual relations with Leathers since the spring, when he was 15 years old. Authorities believe the activity occurred at Leathers' home and not at school.

Leathers was booked into custody at the Allegany County Detention Center with bond set at $25,000. She has been placed on paid leave and faces possible termination charges.

Additional victims are suspected.