Mississippi Teacher Gets No Jail in Sex Case - Updated

(Rankin County, Mississippi) Former Northwest Rankin High School teacher Kelly Blossom, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery of a 16-year-old student and received a hand slap.

In accordance with an agreement that allows her victim to avoid testifying, Blossom received a 20-year suspended prison sentence and five years of probation. Rankin County District Attorney Michael Guest wanted jail time. He didn't get it.

The boy told investigators that he had sex with Blossom after school and on the weekends at the high school.

The investigation began in April 2009, after the teen's parents contacted the Flowood Police Department.

Authorities said there we're at least four sexual encounters between Blossom and the student.

Blossom will be required to register as a sex offender.

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Mississippi Teacher and Male Student
[Previous 9/22/09 post]
(Flowood, Mississippi) A 38-year-old teacher formerly at Northwest Rankin High School, Kelly Blossom, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly engaging in sex with a 16-year-old male student. Blossom has been charged with 10 counts of sexual battery.

According to Flowood Police Detective Billy Tucker:

Blossom allegedly had a relationship with the teen, whose name is not being released, that lasted several months.

Flowood police began an investigation in April and issued an arrest warrant for Blossom on Sept. 9, Tucker said. Blossom turned herself in to Flowood Police on Sept. 10, Tucker said.

Blossom was booked and released on $25,000 bond.