FLORIDA
Sun Sentinel
By Marc Freeman
Sun Sentinel
She had the courage two years ago to finally tell West Palm Beach police about the horror of being molested in class by her fourth-grade teacher.
She had the courage last week to testify in court about the abuses she and a classmate suffered as 9-year-olds under the desk of that teacher, Stephen Jerome Budd.
And Tuesday, she had the courage to talk about her pain — and positive outlook — minutes after a jury convicted Budd of five sex crimes, and just before the 53-year-old former Rosarian Academy educator was sentenced to three consecutive life terms in state prison.
So while the now-18-year-old victim has dealt with obsessive-compulsive and eating disorders because of her trauma, she also spoke of the positives in her life.
“I have realized the inner strength in me I never thought I had, the strength I wish I would have had in the fourth grade,” the recent high school graduate told Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Karen Miller. “I now have the comfort of knowing I saved other potential victims of Mr. Budd.”
“When I am up at night or unable to sleep or awoken by nightmares of him, these are the things I am able to think of,” the young woman continued, as Budd, with his head down, sat nearby at a table with his attorney. “Mr. Budd no longer has control over me. I can now have control over myself and my future.”
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