Teacher to prison for teen tryst

The former Redwood City teacher who bore the child of a former middle-school student "betrayed the trust of a very honored profession" with her "despicable" actions, according to the judge who sentenced her to two years in state prison yesterday.

Rebecca Ann Boicelli, 34, of Menlo Park, dabbed at her eyes as Judge Stephen Hall handed down the median prison term available and ordered her to register as a sex offender for the rest of her life.

Under a plea agreement reached in May, Boicelli faced no more than three years in prison and could have received as lenient a sentence as probation. Hall denied the idea outright despite Boicelli's lack of a criminal record and expressed remorse.

Last month, during the first half of Boicelli's sentencing hearing, she apologized to the victim, court and God. Three supporters that day spoke of Boicelli's good qualities and one even offered a job if she was not imprisoned.

However, each admitted they did not know about Boicelli's lengthy relationship with the boy or who fathered her child. Yesterday, Hall referenced the omissions and Boicelli's repeated denial to police as "significant" in illustrating her desire to continue the illicit relationship.

"I generally feel frankly, Ms. Boicelli, sorry for your family and friends," Hall said.

Boicelli deceived others by claiming the boy as her cousin and encouraged him to do other illegal things such as driving her car underage and unlicensed, Hall said.

Boicelli admitted having sex with the now 18-year-old father once in August 2003. Prosecutor Elizabeth Raffaelli disputed the claim during the preliminary hearing and pointed out previous inappropriate conduct between the two. The boy and Boicelli allegedly began their relationship in 2001 when he was a 14-year-old student at a Redwood City alternative school. Boicelli would move on to two different schools but the encounters continued. Often, the boy visited Boicelli at school and interacted with her students. Laura Ginger, a parent of a former student, told the court she believed he was a student aide.

Boicelli gave birth to the baby June 8, 2004 and was arrested Jan. 20 after co-workers contacted police. Police had fielded tips for two years prior but never had concrete evidence until the child's birth. DNA testing proves the boy is the father.

Boicelli has been in custody since her arrest and receives credit of 337 days toward her sentence.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.