A married teacher has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars after it was revealed she became pregnant by one of her students. Julie Rizzitello, from New Jersey, USA, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree sexual assault in relation to two of her pupils.

A court heard Rizzitello engaged in “various sexual acts” with the students over the course of several months. The first boy was targeted when he attended Wall Township High School, in Monmouth County. 

Rizzitello, 37, had sex with him multiple times between 2017 and 2018, even allegedly urging the juvenile to have sex with her without protection on his birthday. 

Jersey Shore Online reports the teacher fell pregnant via her student and told them about having an abortion. 

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Jersey Shore Online reports pleaded guilty in August last year to her crimes, which involved one pupil between the ages of 16 and 17, and another aged between 18 and 22. In the first case Rizzitello had supervisory authority over the student and in the latter case she was his teacher. 

Superior Court Judge Jill Grace O’Malley told a sentencing hearing last week one her students was “struggling to come to terms with the fact that this individual had an abortion and [he] wasn’t comfortable with it. This is the psychological impact — the devastation”.

Judge O’Malley added Rizzitello “preyed upon” a student and they now have to deal with the fact he “was sexually abused by this teacher”.

Assistant Prosecutor Keri-Leigh Schaefer read an impact statement from one of Rizzitello’s victims, referred to in court as BS, who said “I do believe she needs serious mental help”.

A second victim, identified as CJ, said he first had sexual intercourse with Rizzitello when he turned 18, but the judge said he had been groomed when still a minor. 

Defence attorney Mitchell Ansell asked the court to consider a five-year sentence citing his client’s previous lack of criminal record and engagement in therapy during her time in prison. He also noted the sentence would be a hardship for Rizzitello’s two young children. 

Addressing the court, Rizzitell apologised to her family and friends, adding: “I will never make a mistake again,” she said. “I will be right by my children forever.”

However, Judge O’Malley noted the omission of any apology to her victims in the statement, adding: “I believe that her remorse is genuine, but her remorse is misplaced. It’s for herself. It’s for her family. It’s for her kids.”