From Deseret News archives:

Mom of 4 admits to 11 felonies

Published: Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008 12:44 a.m. MST
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Ward's plea deal stated that the county would not file any more charges, although right now prosecutors don't believe there are more victims.

Prosecutors also agreed to drop two third-degree felony charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old, and two misdemeanor charges of lewdness, bringing 15 charges to 11.

"It's kind of an unfortunate deal," Walk said. "We hope through this process she gets ... help so this can work out with her and her family. We just can't imagine why she's done this."

Ward had been a substitute teacher in the Juab County School District from December 2005 until March 2006 but was let go as she was not meeting expectations, said Juab District Superintendent Kirk Wright.

She worked at Juab High School and occasionally in the elementary schools but was not involved with the schools when the abuse occurred, Wright said.

"I really think one of the tragedies in this case is what her children are having to put up with," said Juab County Attorney Jared Eldridge.

Eldridge recused himself from the case because he knows the Ward family. "Leisa Ward did what she did and she'll have to be responsible for that, but her family is suffering."


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E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com

Recent comments

Mrs. Ward was the coolest substitute teacher ever. I feel bad for her...

Student | Jan. 31, 2008 at 12:30 p.m.

She wasn't fired for not meeting expectations, she was fired for...

JJ | Jan. 30, 2008 at 8:45 p.m.

She still has family to raise. Get her the help she needs and then...

Lorelei Hargett | Jan. 20, 2008 at 2:50 p.m.

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Leisa Ward

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