KILGORE, Texas - A former instructional aide for Kilgore Independent School District (KISD), Kayla Nicole O’Dell, 34, of Gladewater, pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to a charge of having an improper relationship with a student and was sentenced to 10 years of deferred adjudication.
The sentence, handed down in Judge Novy’s courtroom, places O'Dell on probation for a decade, with the condition that she must adhere to all terms of her community supervision. While she avoids an immediate conviction, a violation of the terms of her deferred adjudication could result in a full felony conviction and a prison sentence of two to 20 years.
Professional & Legal Ramifications
Due to Texas law's focus on the power imbalance between educators and students, O’Dell faced serious professional consequences:
-
License Revocation: Her teaching license has been revoked for life, ending her career in education.
-
Court Fees: She was ordered to pay $1,000 in court fees.
-
No Sex Offender Registration: Notably, O’Dell will not have to register as a sex offender. This is due to the fact that the student was 17 years old or older and O’Dell had no prior criminal record before this offense, aligning with the stipulations of the law for this specific charge.
Kilgore ISD Investigation
According to the district, O’Dell was first employed by KISD in August 2023 and resigned on January 7, 2025. The resignation came after the district had launched an investigation into possible educator misconduct involving O’Dell.
She was first arrested on the felony charge in February 2025.
What is Deferred Adjudication
Deferred adjudication is a type of plea agreement where a court delays the judgment of guilt in exchange for the defendant completing a set period of probation. If the defendant successfully meets all conditions, the charges are dismissed, and there is no conviction on their record. However, if the conditions are violated, the court can proceed with the original charges and the defendant can face prison time.
