Texas teacher impregnated by student sentenced to 10 years in prison

HOUSTON -- The former Texas middle school teacher who admitted to having sex with her 13-year-old student has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Judge Michael McSpadden said Alexandria Vera's sentencing should serve as a warning to others who are thinking of doing the same thing. He went on to say, "we want teachers to educate our children, we want teachers to keep their hands off of them."

In November, Vera pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child. Her guilty plea lowered the minimum sentence, paving the way for parole eligibility in five years.

During the trial, the victim wrote a letter to the court expressing that he was in love with Vera. The boy's parents also indicated that they were worried about Vera losing her job.

The victim's mother also said that in her culture, the age difference in her son's relationship with Vera was not an issue.

According to court documents, Vera first met the 13-year-old boy last summer when he was a student in her 8th grade English summer school class.

A sexual relationship reportedly developed. Vera became pregnant, but terminated the pregnancy upon learning that Child Protective Services had launched an investigation.

Vera claims she and the teen are in love, and she's been introduced to his family as his girlfriend, court documents state. The boy's parents are reportedly accepting of the relationship, including Vera in family gatherings.

The boy is now in foster care after it was learned the boy's parents were supportive of his relationship and Vera's pregnancy.