Friday, March 31, 2000
Teacher convicted of sex with boy
She could face prison
BY SHEILA McLAUGHLIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Karabinus
|
LEBANON — A Kings Junior High School biology teacher was convicted Thursday of having sexual intercourse with a student in her home last Friday.
Lisa Karabinus, 29, of Maineville, married and mother of a toddler boy, pleaded guilty to sexual battery before Warren County Common Pleas Judge P. Daniel Fedders. The plea followed a four-day investigation.
Authorities and school officials would not disclose the boy's age or grade to protect his identity.
“We send our children to school and we expect them to come home safely. We do not expect them to be molested by their teacher. We cannot tolerate it in any way,” Warren County Prosecutor Tim Oliver said.
Mrs. Karabinus, a Kings High School graduate whose husband is a teacher at the junior high and assistant varsity football coach at the high school, picked up the boy at a prearranged place Friday and drove him to her home, where the encounter occurred, Mr. Oliver said.
“Her life is over,” said Mrs. Karabinus' lawyer, Charles Rittgers. “She feels nothing but remorse. She is seeking professional help to understand why it happened. There isn't any explanation. There isn't one.”
The boy's parents found out about the encounter over the weekend and reported it Monday to School Superintendent David Query, who called the prosecutor. Mrs. Karabinus was immediately suspended.
Mrs. Karabinus — a junior high teacher and sometimes girl's basketball and cheerleading coach since 1994 — faces some tough sanctions for her illicit behavior.
Released on her own recognizance, she could be sent to prison for one to five years when she returns to Warren County Common Pleas Court for sentencing in mid-May. However, probation also is a possibility, Mr. Oliver said.
For 10 years, she will bear the label of a sex offender, a legal designation that requires her to report her address annually to law enforcement.
Mrs. Karabinus also was forced to resign from her teaching job as part of the plea bargain, and Mr. Oliver said he expects the state to revoke her teaching certificate because she was convicted of a felony.
Prosecutors allowed Mrs. Karabinus to plead to a bill of information, avoiding a grand jury indictment and the possibility of a drawn-out trial.
Mr. Rittgers said Mrs. Karabinus decided to end the case quickly to spare the boy and her own family the trouble of going to trial.
“She wanted to get it over with,” Mr. Rittgers said.
Neither the boy nor his parents attended Thursday's court hearing, but Mr. Oliver said they are “clearly in shock.”
So are school officials.
“This incident has been devastating,” said district spokeswoman, Linda Oda.
“What makes her situation unique is she's a Kings High grad. It's not like we didn't know her.”
Sue Kiesewetter contributed to this report.
Teacher's aide faces cocaine sale charges
Hustler prepares to reopen downtown
Monroe Hustler store likely to get OK
River adds 3 digits to phone calls
Teacher convicted of sex with boy
Ohio tobacco bill threatens public health
Police narrow hunt for gunman
Major who refused vaccine leaves service
Mason teen put on house arrest
N.Ky. welcomes Hispanic families
Net class to assist at-home schoolers
Rally for health care reform
Teens avoid felony charge for fake IDs
Lawmakers wait to slice Ky.'s tobacco money pie
Patton to sign bill on commandments
Channel 9 wins third Peabody
ETC turns 15 with 10 premieres
GET TO IT
Nurse believes in healing power of touch
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
TRISTATE DIGEST
Unexplored rock height of adventure for climber
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
Buses to continue on routes
Children Services urged to add staff
Citizens learn ropes and hoses
City wants historic buildings developed
Education Expo Saturday
Evidence sought in worker's fall
Leaky school roofs finally due for repairs
Ludlow demotes assistant chief
Off-duty Newport officer arrested
Officer sues city over sex allegations
Retired exec may fill post
School board approves consultants
Students turn election into game
Two-alarm fire routs 18 apartment residents
2 men shot; police seek gunman
