Amy Beck, 33, turned herself in at the Burbank Police Department more than two weeks ago and has remained in jail since then. With her lawyer by her side, she admitted to having a sexual relationship with one of her students at David Starr Jordan Middle School in Burbank.
Beck's attorney Michael Williamson said she felt guilty about having sexual intercourse with one of her students, and that's why she turned herself in.
"Amy is emotionally fragile. She is doing as well as can be expected," Williamson said.
Under the deal worked out in court, she'll have to go to state prison and spend the rest of her life as a registered sex offender. Four of the six counts Beck was facing were dropped.
The middle school teacher could have been free on bail since making a stunning confession to police about her affair with a student, but she chose to stay behind bars.
The boy is now 15, but was 14 at the time authorities say the affair began in March 2009. The relationship continued for about seven months. Investigators confirmed her story with the boy.
The social science and English teacher resigned days before surrendering to police. She is married and has three children.
A count of committing a lewd act upon a child was added to the charges she faced, which required her to register as a sex offender.
Beck will likely spend less than two years behind bars.
"She will serve approximately one year, it's my belief, based on these charges, given all the custody credits that she will receive in this case," said prosecutor Debra Archuleta.
Williamson said Beck feels a lot of remorse and did not want the boy to have to testify in court.
"She was concerned that the impact would be negative on the young man," he said. "That is one of the reasons that she self-reported and entered the pleas today, so clearly, she's very concerned about the young man."
