WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) - A West Virginia teacher is going to prison on accusations she had a decade-long relationship with a former student and eventually had children with him.
Ohio County Judge Michael Olejasz’s office says the Wheeling Park High School teacher, 42-year-old Elizabeth Harbert, entered an Alford plea Tuesday, meaning she acknowledges there’s enough evidence for a conviction, but doesn’t admit guilt. Harbert faces five years in prison and 10 years’ probation.
The Wheeling News Register reports a lawsuit brought by the now-28-year old victim accused Harbert of beginning a relationship with him when he was 13 and she was his teacher.
The student filed the now-dismissed lawsuit in 2018 and criminal charges followed. A suit against the school board is ongoing.
Halbert has alleged the former student actually abused her.
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