Originally Posted - July 23, 2006

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PENSACOLA, FLA---She did a little more than just teach about the birds and the bees.

A former biology teacher at a private school in Escambia County faces up to 30 years in prison after being convicted of having a two year relationship with a 16-year-old boy that began when the boy was 15.

Janelle Marie Bird, 25, was convicted Friday by a jury of two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and two lesser counts of unnatural and lascivious acts. Bird had acknowledged the affair and testified that she still loved the boy. She said there was nothing lewd or lascivious about her love for the teen. She was charged in December.

She had left her teaching position at the East Hill Christian School last June for employment as a reading teacher at the Escambia County School District, a public school. After allegations of the affair circulated, she was fired last November. Due to still being on probation, the school board could fire her without cause.

She will have to register as a sex offender. She is free on bond and will be sentenced Oct. 4.

Prior to trial, she had turned down a plea deal for eight years in prison in return for a plea of guilty to one charge. According to her attorney, she refused the deal because she didn't want to be labeled as a sex offender.

Prosecutors said that love didn't excuse having sexual relations with an underage student. The boy's mother had testified that the family had hired Bird to tutor their son, had her as a dinner guest at their home and that they often dropped him off at her apartment after she had stopped tutoring him.

An aunt of the boy reported the relationship in October. 7-23-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette