Alexandria Vera, former middle school teacher impregnated by 13-year-old sentenced to 10 years The Houston-area teacher was facing the possibility of a life sentence

Alexandria Vera, 24, a former Aldine ISD teacher arrives sits with her attorney Ricardo Rodriguez as they wait for her hearing to begin. Vera accepted a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child, which has a maximum sentence of life in prison. However, under the plea deal, her possible punishment is capped at 30 years and she is eligible for deferred adjudication probation. less Alexandria Vera, 24, a former Aldine ISD teacher arrives sits with her attorney Ricardo Rodriguez as they wait for her hearing to begin. Vera accepted a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child, which ... more Photo: Bob Levey, Houston Chronicle Photo: Bob Levey, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 75 Caption Close Alexandria Vera, former middle school teacher impregnated by 13-year-old sentenced to 10 years 1 / 75 Back to Gallery

A middle school teacher who pleaded guilty to having a long-term sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison.

Alexandria Vera, 24, a former Aldine ISD teacher, admitted to the relationship last year in exchange for a sentence decided by the judge with cap of 30 years in prison.

State District Judge Michael McSpadden said he does not believe Vera is a danger to other children, specifically not a classic pedophile, but that he needed to send a message to the community.

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"We want our educators to teach our students," he said in court. "We want them to keep their hands off the students."

The former teacher was facing the possibility of life in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Video: Video: Aldine ISD teacher Alexandria Vera accused of sex with a student turns herself in

The sentencing was complicated because the boy's family knew about the relationship and approved, the judge said. He said letters from the boy and his mother sought to put some of the responsibility on the eighth grade boy. The victim's mother worried that Vera might lose her job, the judge said.

In court, prosecutors outlined a string of deceptions from Vera, including moving the child and his father into her home and pretending to the outside world to date the father.

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Prosecutor Denise Nichols said Vera had a pattern of manipulation to "groom" the child and his family so she could continue the illicit behavior.

"She has a history of straight-out deception," Nichols said.

Vera also paid cell phone bills, bought groceries for the family and attended holiday events with them as the boy's girlfriend.

Prosecutors hammered Vera for inappropriate behavior beginning in the classroom and extending to other students. She apparently let two eighth graders have sex at her home, prosecutors said in court.

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The prosecutor also said Vera's 6-year-old daughter knew about the illicit relationship and for some time called the 13-year-old "dad."

While her possible punishment was capped at 30 years, she was eligible for probation, which her lawyer argued was appropriate.

Defense attorney Ricardo Rodriguez called only one witness Friday, a therapist who profiled Vera to outline her mental state.

"I think she was driven by being in love with him," said Karen Lawson, a mental health professional who works with sex offenders, including sex addicts.

Lawson said Vera's history of seeing domestic violence situations as she was growing up, coupled with a deep need for love, led her to a relationship with the young man who flattered and seemed to adore her.

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"She's someone who has a big heart," Lawson said.

Vera has been free on $100,000 bail, but has had to wear a GPS ankle monitor, stay away from schools and have no contact with the teen who allegedly impregnated her. She later had an abortion, according to court records.

Vera had faced a punishment range of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of continuous sexual assault of a child, a felony with a heightened punishment, even for first offenders.

McSpadden read a pre-sentence investigation prepared by court officials and several letters from supporters, including the victim's mother.

Vera was arrested after officials with Child Protective Services were notified about a possible sexual relationship and found out during their investigation that Vera had gotten pregnant and had an abortion.

Vera and the underage student apparently met when he was a student of hers in summer school at Stovall Middle School, according to court records.