40-year-old ‘Teacher of the Year’ finalist sentenced to one year in jail after admitting to having sex with 18-year-old high school student

Bridgette Doucette-Howell, 40, confessed to sexually assaulting the male student in 2021, as reported by the Daily Mail. Despite the student being of legal age at 18, Doucette-Howell faced charges under a law introduced in 2021, that does not factor in the age of the student involved.

The law, known as the Howie Leung Loophole Law, “concentrates on the influence authority figures have on relationships with students instead of the student's age,” according to a New Hampshire law office. It remains applicable for up to 10 months after the student graduates or departs from the school and does not consider the consent of the student.

The former educator was indicted on three counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault for engaging in intercourse, along with additional charges of sexual assault for kissing the student, according to the Daily Mail.

During a court hearing, the victim submitted a statement to the judge expressing his reluctance to see Doucette-Howell face criminal charges.

“I do not wish for Bridgette to be punished under criminal law for our reactions from our unhealthy circumstances of life,” the student said in his statement.

The student also noted that both he and his family were "shocked" that Doucette-Howell was facing criminal charges, stating that the incident "should have stayed at the school level."

Doucette-Howell was sentenced to one year in jail. However, as part of a plea agreement, she will serve only 14 days, contingent on good behavior, followed by 50 weeks of home confinement.

The educator will also be required to register as a sex offender following her release from jail.