A former Fort Worth teacher will never set foot in a classroom again after she pleaded guilty to having an improper relationship with a 16-year-old male student.
Jennifer Riojas, 27, once taught ninth-grade science at Carter-Riverside High School. On Tuesday, she agreed to plead guilty in exchange for six years deferred adjudication probation.
The Tarrant County District Attorney's office said under the plea agreement, Riojas must forfeit her teaching certificate and undergo a sex-offender evaluation and, if necessary, undergo treatment.
"Considering the facts of the case and the wishes of the victim and his family, we felt this was an appropriate outcome," said Assistant District Attorney Dale Smith. "She will be under court supervision for the next six years and will undergo treatment if necessary. She will also never be able to teach again."
Riojas resigned from the Fort Worth Independent School District in October.
According to the arrest affidavit, Riojas had sex with an underage football player whom she taught last year, when the student was in 10th grade.
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Fort Worth police said the student came forward because he was worried that he could be the father of Riojas' unborn child.
According to confidential school district documents obtained through the Texas Public Information Act in November, Riojas denied the allegations.
"I am resigning after careful thought due to increased stress on my health and pregnancy because of current working conditions," Riojas wrote in her resignation letter. "I appreciate the opportunity that has been given to me by FWISD. I do not believe that at this stage in my life, secondary education is my calling."
Riojas wrote in her resignation letter: "I cannot omit the fact that my pregnancy is something that has been questioned."
"I don't want high school gossip (which is entirely false) to be a cause of stress for me," she wrote.
The school district did not comment on the situation, only saying Riojas was an employee and that she resigned.
NBCDFW's Shane Allen and Ellen Goldberg contributed to this report.
