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WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) — A former northeastern Pennsylvania high school teacher has been sentenced to nine to 23 months in prison after pleading guilty to sexual misconduct with students.
Thirty-two-year-old Lauren Harrington-Cooper pleaded guilty Thursday in Luzerne County Court to two counts of sexual contact with students and two counts of corruption of minors.
Judge Michael Vough told the former Wyoming Valley West English teacher that he had used her "position of trust to exploit children.
Prosecutors said she had engaged in sexual activity with students ranging in age from 16 to 18 years old.
Defense attorney Joe D'Andrea said his client had accepted responsibility for her actions and apologized.
He said Harrington-Cooper suffers from what he called "self-image issues of acceptance and love" and the case has strained her marriage and family life.
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