Special-Education Teacher Blames Heroin Use for Sex With Student

Former teacher Stephanie Amato learns fate for sex with 14-year-old student

A Northeast Philadelphia special-education teacher who pleaded guilty to having sex with one of her students says she blames her actions on her heroin use.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Stephanie Amato was sentenced Tuesday to county prison for having sex with a 14-year-old student. She could spend 11 ½ to 23 months behind bars.

At sentencing, Amato, who taught eighth grade special education at Ethan Allen Elementary School, apologized to the student and said it never would have happened if she weren't using drugs.

In addition to jail time, the 33-year-old will also have to register as a sex offender after pleading guilty to having a sexual relationship with a student, child endangerment and corruption of minors.

Amato is set to surrender for her sentence in July, court records say. [[238427591, C]]

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