(Texas Scorecard) – A former Texas teacher’s aide pleaded guilty to felony sexual misconduct with a student but won’t serve any time for her crime.
Kayla Nicole O’Dell, 34, was arrested in February and charged with improper relationship between educator and student, a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.
O’Dell worked as a teacher’s aide at Kilgore High School from August 2023 until January 2025.
She pleaded guilty Tuesday in the 188th District Court in Gregg County.
Judge Scott Novy granted O’Dell 10 years of deferred adjudication, meaning the case against her will be dismissed if she complies with the terms of her probation.
She will not have to register as a sex offender, as improper relationship is not an offense that qualifies for registration, but O’Dell will have her teaching certificate revoked.
O’Dell was certified as an educational aide in April 2024. Her certificate is currently under review by the Texas Education Agency.
She is among hundreds of Texas teachers accused of sex crimes involving students and other children in just the past few years. Thousands of educators have been reported to the TEA for sexual misconduct.