A SCHOOL worker faces up to five years in prison after confessing to a year-long sexual relationship with a 17-year-old-boy she met at high school.
The illicit encounters with the underage teen happened off-campus over the course of a year.
The crimes took place in the San Diego area in California, authorities confirmed.
Lisette Ortega Veles, 32, pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes at Mar Vista High School.
She admitted to unlawful sexual intercourse and oral copulation with the underage teen, charges that could land her in state prison.
The disturbing relationship came to light on May 19 when police received reports of a student support aide engaging in sexual acts with a minor.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into the allegations at the Imperial Beach campus.
Detectives discovered the illicit relationship had spanned a year, with incidents occurring away from school grounds.
Ortega, a contracted aide through third-party company Ro Health, allegedly tried to silence the teen to keep the abuse secret.
She was arrested on May 21 and hit with a slew of charges related to her predatory actions.
The charges included oral copulation with a minor under 18 and unlawful sexual intercourse with a teen more than three years younger.
Ortega also faced counts of arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd acts and attempting to dissuade the victim from speaking out.
She communicated with the teen with the intent to commit sexual acts, according to court documents.
Her guilty plea was entered on Thursday, marking a significant step in the case.
Ortega’s sentencing is set for October 29 at the South County Courthouse in Chula Vista, New York Post reported.
The judge will decide her fate, with no stipulated sentence included in her plea deal.
She could face a maximum of five years in state prison, per the Times of San Diego.
Ro Health, the company that employed Ortega, provides skilled professionals to schools and healthcare facilities.
Ro Health emphasized their rigorous hiring process, including federal blueprint clearance and thorough background checks.
“At Ro Health, safety is our top priority. It is our privilege to serve the medically fragile population, and we are committed to doing so with the highest degree of care,” Ro Health told NBC affiliate KNSD.
“We hold student safety as paramount to our mission. Ro Health has a Joint Commission approved employee screening process,” the company added.
The teen’s identity remains protected due to his age and the nature of the crimes.
