Goodyear Police DepartmentA 28-year-old teacher who had sex with a 13-year-old while another student looked on has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Brittany Zamora was sentenced at Maricopa Superior Court in Phoenix, Arizona, after pleading to sexual conduct with a minor, attempted molestation of a minor and public sexual indecency.
The 28-year-old, who taught sixth-grade at Las Brisas Academy Elementary School, was arrested in March 2018 after being found to have had sex with the teenager numerous times once, including once in a classroom while another boy stood lookout.
Prosecutors said Zamora’s abusive relationship with the boy began after she asked him to message him on a school message app claiming she was bored.
According to records obtained by the AZ Central, Zamora and the 13-year-old had sex multiple times in her car and classroom. Police said the teacher also sexually abused the student while oblivious students watched a video during class.
The student who watched the pair have sex reportedly told police:
They were just doing it. It was very uncomfortable. It’s, like weird how a 27-year-old can, like, love a 13-year-old and do stuff. It’s just crazy. She’s not a good person.
Goodyear Police DepartmentZamora is also accused of sending naked pictures of herself to the student.
The teen’s parents were made aware of the pair’s illicit relationship after installing Sentry Parental Control on their son’s phone; an app which looks out for worrying behaviour.
Arizona Republic reporter Bree Burkitt described how the student’s parents condemned the teacher in court.
His mother, who was not named, said:
She tried to groom my child into believe this behavior is okay. She’s a true definition of a child predator.
Your mind is foul, your heart is sick and you disgust me! You deserve to leave prison when you’re too old to bear children. You’re forever labeled a child molester and everyone hates a child molester!
Goodyear Police DepartmentZamora expressed regret for her actions, saying:
I am a good and genuine person who made a mistake and regret it deeply.
The student’s parents have taken out lawsuits against the school seeking $2.5 million, claiming their son ‘will experience severe emotional and psychological symptoms due to the sexual abuse he experienced’. It also takes aim at the school district, claiming school officials knew about the abuse before the boy’s parents became aware of it.
Zamora’s husband, Daniel, was reportedly also targeted by the lawsuit as he called the boy’s parent’s in an attempt to persuade them not to go to police. However the two parties have since reached a settlement, according to AZ Central.
BREAKING: Brittany Zamora sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by two lifetime terms of probation. She will receive credit for the nearly 500 days she has already served. @azcentral
— Bree Burkitt (@breeburkitt) July 12, 2019
After being released from prison the teacher would have to register as a sex offender and would serve lifetime probation.
The plea agreement reportedly also forbids her from having contact with any of the victims or to return to the scene of the crime, including the school where she once taught.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues, and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. If you are a child seeking advice and support call Childline for free on 0800 1111.
Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.