Former Ohio teacher Jennifer Walsh,  pled guilty last month to gross sexual imposition and faced up to 18 months behind bars – She had a sexual relationship with a student at her school from May to August 2018  

She was granted a reprieve, avoided jail and will serve probation after court hears how the youngster is still in love with her and their relationship with ‘probably continue’

On Friday, prosecutors allowed her to plead to the lesser charge of interference with custody 

It carries a probation sentence of one year which the judge imposed

 Judge Jody Marie Luebbers called it a ‘truly unique’ case which involves the likelihood that Walsh and the girl will continue dating  

On Wednesday the 17-year-old female student Walsh had a relationship with spoke, declaring she’s ‘completely in love’ and the relationship was consensual, a sentiment echoed by her mother as well as the police investigator, all of whom pled on behalf of the defendant

Walsh who was forced to resign her post at Sycamore High School in Cincinnati in October 2018 cried as the teen professed her love in the courtroom

Jennifer Walsh 27, shown [left] in court on Friday, escaped a mandatory 18 month sentence on a charge of gross sexual imposition for having sex with the girl while working as a special ed teacher at Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, because the judge heard her student was a ‘willing participant’

An Ohio teacher who had sex with a 17-year-old female pupil avoided prison on Friday and walked out of court with a probation sentence after the student professed that she was still in love with her and police said they would likely carry on their romance.
Jennifer Walsh 27, had been facing 18 months behind bars on a charge of gross sexual imposition for having sex with the girl while working as a special ed teacher at Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.
But on Friday, prosecutors allowed her to plead to a lesser charge which carried only a probation sentence.
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‘I know in my heart I am completely in love with this woman’ Ohio girl, 17, professed her love in court for female special ed teacher, 27, she had a sexual […]

Judge Jody Marie Luebbers said it was a ‘truly unique’ case, telling the defendant how unique the case was, and she was not a sexual predator despite having a relationship with the underage girl because she was ‘willing’

The judge, who remarked on how unique the case was, said that she was not a sexual predator despite having a relationship with the underage girl because she was ‘willing’. 

‘The detective said you’re not a sexual predator and I don’t think you are, either,’ Judge Jody Marie Luebbers said.
She said the case was ‘truly unique’.
‘I know in my heart that I am completely in love with this woman, without a doubt,’ the student said on Wednesday.
It is unclear what the student’s parents make of their relationship or of the fact that Walsh walked free from court.
The lead investigator asked for leniency in the case because the student never ‘felt forced or coerced.’
They said the romance was ‘real’ and would likely carry on.  

Walsh worked as a special education teacher and girls junior varsity lacrosse coach at Sycamore High School [photo], in Cincinnati before resigning in October 2018

Walsh originally faced two counts of sexual battery but the charges were reduced in a plea deal after the investigator told the court ‘[It] was actually real…and it will probably continue to be real’ 

 Montgomery Police Detective Steve Hoy said the case different from other teacher-student relationships he’s investigated, adding he believes their relationship is genuine.  

Luebbers heard from Hoy, the student and Walsh’s mother on Wednesday.
After meeting with the prosecutor and Walsh’s attorney in her chambers for 15 minutes, she delayed the sentencing saying ‘I just need…more time.’
Walsh originally faced two counts of sexual battery but the charges were reduced in a plea deal.
In the investigation police seized Walsh’s computer, cell phone and personal documents in their search.