Ex-teacher admits having sex with 5 teen boys

  

(9/07/07 - LAURENS, SC) -- A former middle school teacher admitted Thursday she had sexual encounters with five teenage boys at her school.

Allenna Ward met the boys, 14 and 15 years old, at the school as well as at a motel, a park and behind a restaurant, according to arrest warrants.

Ward pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and three lewd acts on a minor. The remaining five counts will be dropped after sentencing, which will come following an investigation ordered by the court, prosecutor Jerry Peace said.

During the hearing, Ward apologized to the victims, their families, the school and the community, Peace said.

Police began investigating Ward earlier this year after school officials found a note she had written to one of the boys. Some of the victims were students at Bell Street Middle School in Clinton, where Ward taught, authorities said. The teacher was fired Feb. 28.

Messages left with Ward's attorney and at Ward's home were was not immediately returned Thursday.

Peace said he will recommend Ward serve 12 years in prison on a suspended 20-year sentence.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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