Machias - A former substitute teacher accused of molesting a 14-year-old boy pleaded no contest to the charges Monday.

46-year-old Dianne Leach of Steuben faces two counts of gross sexual assault of a student.

Last April State Police were called to the Ella Lewis School in Steuben by a school administrator who claimed to see a text message from Leach on the victim's cell phone.

Prosecutors say Leach had a sexual relationship with the student for four months beginning in December 2010.

The state has recommended a sentence that would place Leach in jail for six months.

"The proposal as it is, is considered a cap which means we're free to argue for less," says Defense Attorney Jeff Davidson.

The victim's aunt tells us that's not enough.

"It's a slap on the wrist. I believe if this was a man and it was a female, 13-year-old teenager, he'd get prison time," said Karen Manning.

Leach is expected to be sentenced this spring.

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