Teacher pregnant again, apparently by her 14-year-old lover
16 March 1998
REUTERS / Martin Wolk
Ex-Washington Teacher Could Face More Charges
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - The revelation that an imprisoned former teacher is pregnant again, apparently by her 14-year-old lover, increases the
likelihood she will face new child rape charges, her lawyer said Sunday.
David Gehrke confirmed that former grade school teacher Mary L.
is six weeks pregnant and plans to give birth at the Washington
Corrections Center for Women. She entered the state's only women's
prison last month to start serving an 89-month sentence stemming from
the relationship with her former student.
"She's adamant she's not going to terminate the pregnancy," said Gehrke,
who spoke to Mary L. Saturday.
"She's happy because a life has been created," he said. "From her own
moral and religious background (she feels) it's a gift from God anytime
a life is created."
Mary L. originally was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading
guilty to second degree child rape, with the longer sentence suspended
on condition that she get counseling and refrain from any further
contact with the boy.
But just a month after her release, she and the boy were caught together
in a car at 2:30 a.m. after spending an evening at the movies.
Prosecutors later learned the boy had told his therapist he and
Mary L. had resumed their sexual relationship during the month she
was free.
Gehrke said that before the pregnancy, he had been "99 percent" certain
no further charges would be filed, because prosecutors do not want to
require testimony from the boy, who has said he loves his former teacher
and is not in any way a victim.
But now, Gehrke said, "They can get good evidence without having the boy
come and testify."
Gehrke said the prison is building a "birthing center" where inmates
will be allowed to stay with their babies for the first six months of
their lives. Mary L. will then have the option of placing her child
with family or friends. Her daughter by the boy is being cared for by
his family.
With time off for good behavior, Mary L. could be out of prison in
just under six years.
