Teacher may get deal in sex case

FARMINGTON — The attorney for a former Bountiful Junior High teacher charged with having sex with one of her students has requested another hearing while the lawyer gathers information that could produce a plea bargain.

Linda Nef, 46, is charged with rape of a child and forcible sodomy on a child, both first-degree felonies, in connection with alleged sexual contact with the boy when he was 13. He is now 14. Her lawyer previously said the situation began after the boy was no longer in Nef's Utah history class.

Nef went to police earlier this month, confessed what had happened and resigned from the Davis School District, police say.

Valynne Bowers, 39, who taught math at the same school, is charged with rape and forcible sodomy, both first-degree felonies, involving the same boy. She is on administrative leave from the school.

Police said the boy told them he had been having sex with both women. Neither teacher apparently knew about the alleged sexual conduct of the other.

Second District Judge Rodney Page set an April 10 status hearing in Nef's case and signed a protective order forbidding her from having any contact with the boy. There also is a protective order keeping Bowers away from the child.

Nef left the courthouse without speaking to reporters, but her attorney, Sean Druyon, said he is "hopeful" that a plea deal can be reached in Nef's case.

"We need documents from psychologists; we need documents from the prosecutor's office," he said.

Druyon said his client has been "completely forthright" with law enforcement officials and is anxious to resolve the case. As for what would constitute a fair resolution, Druyon said it was too early to say, especially since he does not have all the mental heath information he is seeking.

Druyon said Nef is doing well, but is very embarrassed.

"She is very sorry for the impact she has had on this boy's family, the victim and the school system," he said.

Druyon said any explanation for what occurred will eventually come out in the next few months.

E-MAIL: lindat@desnews.com