Ex-teacher says she 'crossed the line' with pupil

updated 11:13 a.m. ET Sept. 13, 2006

TAMPA, Fla. - A former middle-school teacher serving house arrest for having sex with a 14-year-old pupil said in a television interview that she was a deeply troubled woman at the time and “crossed the line that never should’ve been crossed.”

Debra Lafave, 25, who became a tabloid sensation after her arrest in 2004, also acknowledges that her victim might “have a hard time trusting women one day. I’m sure he has to be living with the guilt of — quote, unquote — ratting me out,” according to transcripts of the interview with Matt Lauer released by NBC Tuesday. Parts of the interview aired Wednesday on the “Today” show.

Lafave is serving three years of house arrest and seven years of probation after pleading guilty to having sex with the boy in a classroom and her home in June 2004. Her plea in November negated the need for a trial during which the victim would have been called to testify.

Lafave has apologized and said bipolar disorder contributed to her state of mind at the time.

She told Lauer she never thought she was committing rape when she had sex with the teen but realizes now she “made a really, really, really bad choice.” She acknowledges that the case got so much attention — when similar cases get little or none — because she is attractive.

“Sex sells,” she said.

Lafave said she has a difficult time thinking of herself as a sexual predator, as she is now classified under Florida law.

“I was a kindhearted person who loved children, who would never, you know, do anything to break the law,” she said. “I was a good person. And then, now everything has just changed. So it’s just really hard for me to accept that.”

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Loophole frees mentally ill youth offenders   Friend: Missing Utah mom was mulling divorce Judge mulls issues in Kan. abortion trial Prisons could see first decline since 1972 FBI walks tightrope in outreach to Muslims Facing prison, Astor's son bares private life Friend defends husband of missing woman Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: