ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) - A former special needs teacher could spend more than a decade behind bars after she preyed on students Rochester High School.
Oakland County Circuit Court records show Kathryn Houghtaling was sentenced Tuesday to 4 years 3 months to 15 years in prison for six counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, plus 51 months to 8 years in prison for delivery of a controlled substance to a minor.
Houghtaling in January pleaded no contest to the charges, rather than going to trial.
On Tuesday, Fox 2-TV reported the prosecuting attorney asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence, saying Houghtaling had shown no remorse prior to her sentencing, in fact blaming her victims for what happened.
It's also alleged that even while being investigated, Houghtaling attempted to get together with one of the teens.
"Up to the day before she was interviewed by the police, she was texting the victim on (four of the counts) wanting to know if (the victim) could hang out with her," the prosecutor said.
Houghtaling, who fired by Rochester Community Schools last year, offered this apology at sentencing:
"My actions have consequences that will affect me, my husband, my family, and friends," Houghtaling said, per Fox 2. "I want to apologize to all the parties involved, specifically to (the victim's families). I know that my actions betrayed the duty and the responsibility I had as a teacher. I sincerely never intended for my relationship with them to cause them drama."
The victims' families said Houghtaling betrayed their trust, and that the teenage victims were ostracized at school due to her actions. "We have a responsibility to these children who were entrusted with a professional and the state of the lives and the continuance of their lives," an uncle said.
Houghtaling's attorney Zachary Glaza acknowledged that one of the victims was in Houghtaling's class, but told the court that the student had a reading impediment and was not disabled.
Houghtaling's sentences will be served concurrently.
