Why Teacher Accused Of Having 9-Month Sexual Relationship With Student Says She's The Victim

“The student is the one who seduced me,” claims 24-year-old former substitute teacher, Mary Beth Haglin. “I am the victim.”

Haglin, who was arrested this summer after admitting she had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student for most of the last academic school year, claims the high schooler came on strong, wooing her with handwritten notes and texts, and other romantic gestures. She says he swept her off her feet. “He did so with such intelligence and such an elevated vocabulary that I was completely duped by the whole façade.”

Teacher Blames Underage Student For Sexual Relationship: ‘He Caught Me In My Weakest Moments’

The former teacher, who took a job as a stripper soon after being fired from her school district, says the pair began their physical relationship in October 2015, not long after she claims the youth started pursuing her. “We had sex – almost daily – in his car, my car, his mom’s house, and his dad’s house.” Something, she says, she thought she could keep secret.

In the video above, Haglin claims she tried to break things off with the student after she accepted a position at his school, but, she claims, the 17-year-old threatened to expose her and their affair if she tried to leave him.

‘Student Convinced Me To Send Him Sexy Pictures’ Claims Teacher Accused Of Sexual Exploitation

“When things got way out of control, and I wanted out, he began saying ‘I will light a match and burn your life down,’” claims Haglin, who says that made her too scared to put a stop to the relationship. Eventually, other students, a parent and school officials became aware of the relationship.

Concerned Parent Reports Teacher For Sexual Relationship With Student: ‘She Kept Telling Me That She Was In Love’

Haglin was fired in May and charged in July with one count of misdemeanor sexual exploitation of a minor. She faces up to two years behind bars if convicted.

Does Haglin take responsibility for her sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student? Watch Dr. Phil on Monday to find out. Check local listings here.