Missouri Educator Gets Probation in Sex Scandal

(Nevada, Missouri) A 37-year-old guidance counselor formerly at Bronaugh High School, Lori A. Layher, has been accused of engaging in sex with two boys.

Layher pleaded guilty in accordance with a plea deal to misdemeanor counts of assault. She was sentenced to probation.

Layher had been charged with single counts of statutory rape and statutory sodomy and four counts of sexual contact with a student by a school employee. The counts stemmed from alleged sexual contact with two boys under the age of 17 between Dec. 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010, both on and off school grounds.

The defendant was facing the prospect of up to seven years in prison if convicted of either of the statutory offenses and up to five years on each of the other four counts.

Circuit Judge James Bickel sentenced Layher on one year of supervised probation.