In just two years, a once-celebrated California educator has gone from being named “teacher of the year” to receiving a lengthy prison sentence for sexually abusing two sixth graders.
A judge in San Diego County has sentenced 36-year-old Jacqueline MA to 30 years in prison after she pleaded guilty in February to two counts of child indecency.
Not long ago, MA was featured on local TV sharing insights on how to engage distracted students.
However, on Friday, she found herself in front of the court instead.
“I abused my authority, I took advantage of them, I deceived them,” MA said through tears while in handcuffs. “Boys at this age should be outside playing… I destroyed their childhood.”
Her statement, which was partially reported by Fox 5 in San Diego, included an apology to her victims and their families. She called her actions “selfish,” recognizing the shame she brought upon the teaching profession.
According to authorities, MA had lavished attention on the boys with gifts, food, and special favors and had helped them with their assignments.
Prosecutors detailed that MA sexually assaulted one boy in her classroom for three months while grooming him over the course of a year, with his parents believing he was simply in an after-school basketball program.
Additionally, investigations indicated that she also targeted a second victim, an 11-year-old boy, in 2020, prior to being named San Diego County “Teacher of the Year” for the academic year 2022-2023. She has been a teacher in the national school district since 2013.
One of the prosecutors noted that MA won’t be eligible for parole until 2055. District Attorney Stephen Summer stated that the sentence was warranted.
This defendant betrayed the trust of her students in some of the most horrific ways imaginable, and what she did is reprehensible. Her victims will face lifelong repercussions, and the 30-year sentence is justified.
