California ‘Teacher of the Year’ Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse Charges, Sobs in Court [WATCH]

Jacqueline Ma, previously honored as “Teacher of the Year” in San Diego County, broke down in tears as she admitted to sexually abusing two of her students in a San Diego courtroom on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old former fifth and sixth-grade teacher at Lincoln Acres Elementary School confessed to charges that could land her in prison for the rest of her life.

Ma faced a potential sentence of 180 years but accepted a plea deal that will see her serve between 30 years to life.

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She pleaded guilty to committing lewd acts upon children and possessing material involving minors in sexual conduct.

“Guilty,” Ma managed to say through her sobs as video from Fox 5 San Diego captured the moment of her confession in court.

The incidents came to light when the mother of one of the victims, a 12-year-old boy, alerted the police. This led to Ma’s arrest on the school campus in the spring of 2023.

Investigations revealed that Ma had groomed the boy over a period of 10 months, exchanging love letters and explicit text messages.

She reportedly sent him sexually suggestive photos of herself and requested videos of him performing sexual acts, showing frustration when he did not comply.

In one text message exchange, the boy reminded Ma, “Sometimes I think you don’t understand that I am a kid still,” according to reports from the San Diego Tribune.

Another incident involved Ma allegedly removing her shirt during a private meeting with the 12-year-old in her classroom, as reported by Fox 5 San Diego.

Prosecutors disclosed that Ma was also involved with another student, an 11-year-old boy, with whom she exchanged sexually explicit messages.

Evidence of this relationship included a photograph of one of the victims found in Ma’s wallet at the time of her arrest.

Deputy District Attorney Drew Heart commented on the significance of the plea deal, emphasizing the message it sends to the community.

“This was very significant to us, not just because she won an award, but because of who she was in the community,” Heart said.

“We think this plea deal sends a message to the community, not just about sex offenses on children, but when you leverage a position of trust, when you leverage good faith with parents in the community and you do this to their children, there will be significant penalties to pay.”

Following a preliminary hearing in 2023, Superior Court Judge Maryann D’Addezio had described the evidence against Ma as “overwhelmingly clear that the defendant took advantage of two children.”

Heart further elaborated, “From our office’s perspective, it was very important that these be charged as not just sex offenses, but sex offenses done under duress and that’s what she pled to.”

Ma’s sentencing is scheduled for May 9, where the court will finalize her punishment under the terms of the plea agreement.

This case has shocked the National City community, where Ma was once celebrated for her contributions to education, highlighting the betrayal felt by parents who entrusted their children to her care.

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