- Disgraced teacher Jacqueline Ma, once San Diego’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, received a 30-year prison sentence for sexually abusing two elementary students.
- She groomed victims for months, sending love letters to a 12-year-old before her arrest.
- The victims’ families skipped sentencing as Ma tearfully apologized for “stealing their childhood.”
Jacqueline Ma, 36, once held a respected position as an elementary school teacher. In 2022, she even earned the title of San Diego County’s Teacher of the Year. Now, she faces 30 years in prison for sexually abusing two young students. The court delivered her sentence on Friday, closing a disturbing case of betrayal and exploitation.
Guilty Plea Reveals Heinous Crimes
Ma admitted guilt in February to two counts of forcible lewd acts on a child. She also pleaded guilty to possessing explicit material involving minors. Prosecutors confirmed she groomed and abused two boys while teaching fifth and sixth grade at Lincoln Acres Elementary School in National City. Her crimes shattered the trust placed in her as an educator.
Tearful Apology in Court, But No Undoing the Harm
During her sentencing, Ma broke down in tears as she addressed the court. She expressed deep shame for her actions and acknowledged the irreversible damage she caused. “I let my selfishness override what was right,” she said. “I stole their childhood.” She begged for forgiveness, but the weight of her crimes left no room for excuses.
Mother’s Discovery Led to Investigation
The case unraveled when the mother of a 12-year-old boy found disturbing love letters and texts from Ma. Authorities later learned the grooming had gone on for 10 months. Investigators also uncovered evidence that Ma had targeted another boy, then 11, years earlier. The revelations shocked the community and exposed her predatory behavior.
Victims’ Families Absent as Justice Is Served
Neither the abused children nor their families attended the sentencing. The emotional toll of the case likely kept them away. With Ma’s 30-year prison term, the court ensured she can never harm another child. Her fall from grace serves as a grim reminder of the betrayal hidden behind a trusted figure’s facade.
