A 37-year-old former Rainier teacher's assistant who had sex with an eighth grader was sentenced to almost one year in jail on Wednesday.

Christine Johanson read an apology in court during which she said,"There are no excuses for my behavior."

She left the courtroom in tears. Johanson will spend 360 days in the Columbia County Jail.

Her sentencing revealed new details about the case and included testimony from the victim's mother.

During the sentencing phase of her trial, which began Wednesday morning, the 15-year-old victim's mother said Johanson became involved in every part of her son's life -- school, home and church.

Arlene Keppinger said Johanson even asked if she could go with the family on their summer vacation.

The mother of a second boy said Johanson befriended her son to make the victim jealous.

In addition, the victim's therapist, Charlotte Rosen, said the boy suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of his relationship with Johanson.

She also talked about the history of social, academic and emotional problems the boy had before he met Johanson. Rosen explained that sex offenders often pursue the most vulnerable victims.

KGW photo

Christine Johanson in court Wednesday.

Just over a month ago, Johanson pleaded guilty to four counts of rape after admitting to having sex with a 15-year-old student from the Rainier Junior/Senior High School.

Background: Johanson crossed state lines to have sex with 8th grader

Johanson worked at Hudson Park Elementary School in Rainier. During that time, she repeatedly had sex with the student, authorities said. The two schools share a campus but the school district said Johanson was never the boy's teacher.

She was fired from the district in September and was ordered to stay away from the boy and the schools.

Johanson also admitted to having sex with the boy in Cowlitz County. She was still awaiting sentencing in Washington state.