KILGORE, Texas (KETK) -- A former Kilgore ISD instructional aide has received 10 years of deferred adjudication after pleading guilty to having an improper relationship with a student.

Kayla Nicole O’Dell, 34, of Gladewater, entered her guilty plea Tuesday morning in Judge Novy’s courtroom, according to the Gregg County District Attorney's Office. As part of her sentence, O’Dell faces a potential prison term of 2 to 20 years if she violates the terms of her probation. She was also ordered to pay $1,000 in court fees, and her teaching certificate has been permanently revoked.

According to Kilgore ISD, the district launched an internal investigation in early January 2025 after receiving allegations of possible educator misconduct involving O’Dell, who had worked as an instructional aide si

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