Honk News (San Diego, CA) – A once-celebrated educator from California has confessed to the sexual abuse of two young students, breaking down in tears as she entered her guilty plea in court.
Jacqueline Ma, 35, from San Diego, faced arrest in 2023 for allegedly having inappropriate relationships with two of her students, aged 11 and 12 at the time.
Prosecutors revealed that one of the relationships extended over several months, describing her as “obsessive” and “dangerous.”
Prosecutors claimed that Ma sent explicit images to the student and pressured him into sending explicit videos in return. Hart stated that the misconduct started when the victim was just 12 years old.
The trial for Ma was initially scheduled to commence in April.
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, Ma unexpectedly reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, resulting in a reduced sentence as he pleaded guilty to four felony counts, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
The report details two charges of inappropriate behavior with a child under 14, involving coercion; another charge related to a second child under 14; and the possession of materials depicting a minor in sexual situations, according to the Union-Tribune.
During the court proceedings, the judge inquired about her plea, to which she responded with a heartfelt “Guilty,” while tears streamed down her face, as captured in footage from Fox 5 San Diego.
Ma has served as a teacher for fifth and sixth grades in the National School District since 2013.
According to prosecutors, the individuals involved were students at Lincoln Acres Elementary School, where Ma served as a teacher during the time of the alleged abuse.
In August 2022, she was recognized as one of five outstanding educators honored as the San Diego County Teacher of the Year for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Ma could be sentenced to a lengthy prison term, ranging from 30 years to life.
Her sentencing is set for May 9.