Former Idaho teacher Jessica Lawson has pleaded guilty to raping a 16-year-old boy just days after he was adopted. Lawson, 36, accepted a plea deal for felony sexual battery and rape of a minor, while charges for giving the boy marijuana and alcohol were dropped. The incident came to light when police pulled over the boy driving Lawson’s car because she was too intoxicated to drive.
The boy’s parents reported the sexual assault to police after their son admitted Lawson had provided him with alcohol and marijuana before the assault. Although Lawson initially denied providing marijuana, she admitted to giving him alcohol. The boy, who had just been adopted and grew up in foster care, was vulnerable, and his parents expressed their deep pain over the crime’s long-lasting effects on him. In court, they shared how they adopted him to give him a stable home, only for Lawson to exploit his trust.
Lawson apologized in court, blaming her behavior on an abusive past relationship, but took full responsibility for her actions. The judge dismissed claims of a double standard, affirming that the law applies equally, regardless of the offender’s gender. Lawson will serve prison time and is barred from contacting the victim for 20 years.
