Former St. Louis teacher convicted of sexual misconduct

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) -- A former suburban St. Louis special education teacher faces sentencing after being convicted of sexual misconduct with students.

Cathy Heminghaus, who is 48, was found not guilty of 18 other sex-related charges in a verdict announced Wednesday. The jury found her guilty of statutory sodomy, sexual contact with a student and supplying liquor to a minor. Jurors returned to court on Thursday to decide her punishment.

Authorities say the incidents happened in 2005 and 2006 at Ferguson Middle School. Heminghaus was fired by the Special School District after the charges were announced.

Heminghaus testified that a student forced her to perform oral sex. But four teens testified it was Heminghaus who initiated the sexual contact.

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Information from: KSDK-TV, http://www.ksdk.com