LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. -- A former Laurens County teacher pleaded guilty Thursday to having sex with at least five students.
Allenna Williams Ward, 23, a seventh-grade language arts teacher at Bell Middle School, had sex with several students in cars, parks, a hotel and at the school.
She pleaded guilty Thursday to six charges -- three second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and three lewd acts on a minor. Family members and her attorneys accompanied her as she made an emotional statement to the court.
She said, "Today, I publicly admit my guilt and would like to apologize. I sincerely apologize for the effects of my actions."
Clinton police said that Ward had sex with at least five boys: three 14-year-olds, and two 15-year-olds. The students were at Bell Middle and another school that was not named.
Ward was fired when the allegations were made public in March.
While awaiting trial, Ward has been required to wear a tracking device and she was allowed no contact with her alleged victims or their families. She has only been allowed to leave her home to go to church or visit her lawyer. She was not allowed to use a cell phone.
Ward's family was required to pay for the electronic monitoring device, including a $150 administrative fee plus a $70 a week fee.
Thursday, Jerry Peace, 8th Circuit Solicitor, said, "She was in a position of authority. She had the trust of the community to teach kids right and do what you need to do around children to let them grow to be responsible adults. She violated that trust."
Ward will be sentenced at a later date. She could face a sentence of up to 105 years in prison. (Wyff4.com)
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