Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Email this article to a friend

Ex-Holyoke teacher pleads not guilty to child rape

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- A former Holyoke elementary school teacher who ran off with one of her students has pleaded not guilty to three counts of aggravated rape and abuse and three counts of statutory rape.

The Republican newspaper of Springfield reported Wednesday that Lisa Lavoie, 24, was arraigned in Hampden Superior Court on Tuesday.

Lavoie and the 15-year-old student were reported missing Feb. 16 and were found a week later at a West Virginia motel.

Lavoie pleaded not guilty in Holyoke District Court in March to a charge of enticing a minor under the age of 16.

Lavoie -- who's has been fired from her job at a Holyoke elementary school -- is out on $25,000 bail.

Her attorney, David Hoose, did not immediately return an Associated Press message seeking comment.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)