US: Teacher, 37, gets 7-year prison sentence over sexual relationship with 17-year-old student

Heather Marie Mashburn-Smith was arrested on April 29 and charged with unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, according to an affidavit from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, ABC7 reported.

Mashburn-Smith, 37, was a teacher in Charlotte County and was accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct with a student.

According to an earlier statement from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, detectives investigating the case developed probable cause to arrest Mashburn-Smith for having sexual intercourse with the 17-year-old student on a school campus on two occasions.

Mark Vianello, superintendent of Charlotte County Public Schools, said the teacher's actions were a direct violation of the responsibility educators have towards students and their families.

"The actions of this individual are a direct violation of the duty every educator owes to students and families. We will not tolerate anything that compromises student safety," Vianello said.

He added that Mashburn-Smith had been placed on administrative leave while the school district worked with law enforcement and pursued accountability.

Mashburn-Smith was charged under Florida Statute 794.05, which covers unlawful sexual activity with certain minors. The charge was enhanced to a first-degree felony because of her position as a teacher.

She was booked into the Charlotte County Jail following her arrest.