Lafave Says She Crossed The Line

The Associated Press

Published: Sep 12, 2006

TAMPA - Debra Lafave, the former middle school teacher serving house arrest for having sex with a 14-year-old pupil, said in a television interview that she was a deeply troubled woman at the time and "crossed the line that never should've been crossed."

The 25-year-old Lafave, who became a tabloid sensation after her arrest in 2004, also acknowledged that her victim might "have a hard time trusting women one day.

"I'm sure he has to be living with the guilt of - quote, unquote - ratting me out," according to transcripts of the interview with Matt Lauer released by NBC on Tuesday. The interview is airing today on the "Today" show and "Dateline NBC."

Lafave is serving three years of house arrest and seven years' probation after pleading guilty in November to having sex with the boy in a classroom and her home in June 2004. Her plea avoided a trial during which the victim would have been called to testify.

Lafave apologized afterward and said bipolar disorder contributed to her state of mind at the time.

She told Lauer she never thought she was committing rape when she had sex with the teen but realizes now that she "made a really, really, really bad choice." She acknowledged that the case got so much attention - when similar cases get little or none - because she is attractive.

"Sex sells," she said.

Lafave said she has a difficult time thinking of herself as a sexual predator, which she is now classified as under Florida law.

"I was a kindhearted person who loved children, who would never, you know, do anything to break the law," she said. "I was a good person. And then, now everything has just changed. So it's just really hard for me to accept that."

Descent Into 'Dangerous Territory' Began With Teacher-Student Flirtation

Excerpts from the interview on how the affair began:

Debra Lafave: I think he just became very flirtatious, and you gotta remember that at that period in my time or in my life, I didn't feel like an adult. I was crashing fast.

Matt Lauer: I would imagine there are parents watching right now, Debbie, and they're saying, "Wait a minute. She just said that he became very flirtatious." You know, (a) is she blaming him for how this started? So the answer to that is?

Lafave: No.

Lauer: And (b), she was the older one. She was the teacher. She was the role model.

Lafave: I did. I crossed the line that never should've been crossed. …

Lauer: Did you and this student have open conversations about the fact that you two might be getting into very dangerous territory?

Lafave: You know, there was very little conversation, to be honest with you. You know, looking back, he was 14; you know, what is there really to say to a 23-year-old? ...

Lauer: At any point during sex with this student or after sex with this student, did you say, "In the eyes of the law, I just committed rape"?

Lafave: No. I never said that.

Sources: "Today" and "Dateline NBC"