Mackenzie Land Matthews is sorry for having sex with a student that she had been hired to guide and counsel, but that didn’t stop a judge from sentencing the pretty blonde teacher and mother to two years in prison for the offense. Mackenzie Land Matthews, a former guidance counselor at Heath High in Licking County, Ohio, had already admitted to having sex with the boy in 2010.
“I just want to sincerely apologize to the victim and his family, and to the Heath community and my school system. I want to apologize to my friends and my family and my children, and especially my husband. I want to express the remorse I have for this, and I accept the responsibility for my actions.”
Law enforcement authorities say that 34-year old Mackenzie Land Matthews had a secret sexual relationship with an 18-year old male student, a secret that was kept until the boy decided to confide in someone about the forbidden relationship. Once the secret was out, child protective services was called and Mackenzie Land Matthews was arrested.
According to Daily Mail , in the state of Ohio it is not illegal to date or have sex with an 18-year-old; however, it is illegal for a teacher to have sex with a student. Officials say that Mackenzie Land Matthews needed only to wait a few more months before she could have legally entered into a relationship with the student.
Now the teacher not only must do two years in prison, but she will also be required to register as a sex offender — for life. Many in the community wonder if it was all worth it. And many also wonder how many other students have been victims — students that would have been well under the age of consent. No one will ever know unless other victims come forward. Others say that Mackenzie Land Matthews should be left alone, and that she did nothing wrong because the boy was 18 years old. Many are against the criminalization of women who date boys who are at least 16 years of age, stating that most boys that age know exactly what they want and are not victims. Many states have varying rules regrading this issue.The victim’s parents have made it clear that they would not like the former teacher prosecuted.
Last week, the Inquisitr reported on the case of another mother who was arrested for having sex with a boy at her daughter’s school. In that case, the boy was 17 years old. 42-year-old Iris Gibney was arrested and charged with corruption of a minor after she was caught having sex in a car with the boy at a park. Her case is currently pending.
[Photo Credit: Twitter]