MalloryKeaton

http://www.click2houston.com/news/4218048/detail.html

Student, Former Teacher In Custody Fight Over Baby

DNA Tests Ordered To Prove Paternity

Posted: 4:38 pm CST February 21, 2005
Updated: 4:45 pm CST February 21, 2005

Houston -- A 16-year-old student and his former teacher went to court Monday in a custody fight over a child conceived during their sexual relationship, Local 2 reported.



Lisa Zuniga Duran was 27 years old when she was a supervisor at a Pasadena church school. She admitted to having had a relationship with a then-13-year-old male student. She was sentenced in April 2003 to 10 years probation, 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Zuniga was pregnant Jan. 24, 2003, when she pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child. Her daughter was born on Feb. 7, 2003.The boy's family allowed Duran to raise the girl as long as they were given visitation and Duran was supervised, but they say that changed this summer.

"She met a guy, got married and totally cut us off," said Tammy Ambriz, the victim's mother.

The family's lawyer said there's an even bigger problem.

"She's a convicted sex offender. Convicted sex offenders don't have unsupervised access to children in this state. Even their own children," said L.K. "Butch" Bradt, the family's lawyer.

The boy's mother filed a petition in state court to ascertain if her son is the father of Zuniga's daughter and, if so, to get custody until he is old enough to care for it.

DNA testing has been ordered to conclusively prove that the boy fathered the girl."When she did what she did was -- it was literally like a knife went through my heart ," Ambriz said.

The boy, who was not identified, told Local 2 that he has moved on since he was abused at 13.

"What happened to me, I just put that in a box -- that's the past. I look at the future," he said. 'I want to see how tall she is and if she's grown hair and stuff."

Duran was not available for comment.

Copyright 2005 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved

Lain

Say...this reminds me of the story about Mary Kay Letourneau. Poor kid though...getting cut off from the parents. It's just sad we have these stories about kids and teachers (or whatever). But then again, it said the kid was abused so I can't blame him...

In Fair Verona

I do wonder what is up with the current trend of teachers and students. I hope the boy can win custody.