SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—A former Massachusetts elementary school teacher accused of running away with a 15-year-old eighth-grade student has pleaded guilty to statutory rape and enticing a child.
Former Holyoke teacher Lisa Lavoie (La-VOY') entered the pleas Wednesday in Hampden Superior Court. She was released until her Jan. 26 sentencing and ordered not to contact the boy, who attended the hearing with his mother.
Prosecutor Patrick Sabbs read a statement from the boy asking for leniency for the 25-year-old Lavoie and calling her "an amazing person." Sabbs said he'll seek a 3- to 5-year sentence.
Defense attorney David Hoose is asking for probation. Hoose said Lavoie always intended to plead guilty to spare the boy from testifying.
Lavoie was charged last year after she and the boy were reported missing and found a week later in a Morgantown, W.Va., motel.
------
Information from: The Springfield Republican, http://www.masslive.com/news/
