A “love story” with his 16-year-old student

A consensual romantic relationship that made his heart vibrate. This is how a former special education technician, who sexually assaulted her student, portrayed her twisted adventure on Monday, which could earn her four years in prison.

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“It’s as if my soul was in love with his soul,” said Geneviève Rioux during sentencing proceedings at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse. My head knew it was insane, but my heart was taking over. »

With a trembling voice and imbued with nervousness, the 44-year-old mother read a long letter to Judge Sophie Lavergne, in which she tries to explain her actions and asks forgiveness from the many people she has hurt.

This testimony follows her guilty plea, recorded in July, where she admitted her crime.

Rioux and the then 16-year-old, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, had full sex for more than five months in 2018.

Like Céline and René

“I was blind, to the point where at a certain point, I projected myself into the future in a long-term relationship, said the accused. I was ready to wait. I rationalized by referring to other atypical relationships, like René Angélil and Céline Dion. »

Rioux was the specialist educator of the young man, who has many behavioral problems.

The duo had developed a special relationship, to the point where the teenager had become “dependent” and refused the intervention of any other member of staff.

“I sincerely apologize for not being able to be the balanced adult,” she adds.

Everything indicates that Geneviève Rioux will soon receive a prison sentence since the Crown has suggested 48 months, while the defense proposes 90 days to be served intermittently.

The defendant thinks of her

Me Caroline Lafleur, of the prosecution, hopes for more progress, she who notices that the accused speaks mainly of the consequences on her personal life.

She also mentions being surprised to hear the victim speak, even to this day, of a “love story”.

The defense for its part raised the fact that, had it not been for the relationship of authority between the accused and the victim, the latter was of the legal age of consent.

Me Meghann Tousignant also exposed the important consequences of the legal process on the life of her client, in particular the fact that she must redirect her career.

Judge Lavergne will deliver her decision on April 20.