Former Othello teacher pleads guilty to child molestation

RITZVILLE - Former Othello teacher Lisa Davis pleaded guilty in September to molesting a 10-year-old boy after accepting a plea agreement with Adams County prosecutors.

Davis, 48, pleaded guilty to first-degree child molestation and was taken into custody following a hearing Monday morning in Adams County Superior Court. She is currently booked into Adams County Jail.

Davis had previously pleaded not guilty at a July hearing.

As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors recommended Davis serve the minimum sentence of more than four years behind bars although she could still face life in prison.

If she qualifies for a three-year sex offender rehab program, her prison sentence could be reduced to 12 months, according to the plea agreement. Davis will be evaluated Sept. 18 to see if she qualifies for the special sex offender treatment program.

Davis, a former fifth-grade teacher at Scootney Springs Elementary School, admitted to having sexual contact with the boy between the months of April and May, including inappropriate touching, according to a statement written on her behalf read in court Monday.

Davis was put on administrative leave after another teacher told school administrators of the inappropriate behavior. She resigned her position shortly after.

Following her release from prison, Davis will be on community custody for life and is prohibited from any contact with the victim or his family as well as any contact with minors.

Davis' family members declined comment following Monday's court appearance.

The court ordered a pre-sentence investigation for Oct. 16. She will be sentenced Oct. 28.