A Stamford High School teacher has pleaded guilty to sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.
Danielle Watkins, 32, went before a judge Thursday afternoon. Watkins acknowledged that she did in fact have a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student while she was an English teacher at the school.
She was also accused of giving marijuana to him and another student. The victim's attorney, Devin Janosov, says Watkins instigated the relationship.
As part of her plea deal, she is expected to face up to four years in prison when she is sentenced next year. She will also be required to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years.
Watkins' attorney, Rob Serafinowicz, says she is a married mother of two who deserves the least amount of time possible in prison. She has been on paid administrative leave, but the superintendent of Stamford Public Schools said Thursday afternoon that they will now move forward with terminating her employment.
Just last month, a judge granted accelerated rehabilitation to Stamford High School principal Donna Valentine and assistant principal Roth Nordin after they were charged with failure to immediately report allegations of the sexual relationship to the state Department of Children and Families. Both are currently on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an independent investigation.