The Aftermath of a Teacher's Broken Taboo

Sept. 16, 2004 -- The estranged husband of a 23-year-old Tampa teacher accused of having sex with her 14-year-old student says he still loves his wife — even after filing for divorce last week.

"I am in love with her. You can't turn love off," Owen Lafave told ABC News' Cynthia McFadden.

Speaking for the first time to the national press since his wife, Debra, was accused three months ago, the 26-year-old banker also said he is still making sense of his wife's alleged actions.

"I just stand here confused. I struggle with everyday life," he said.

Authorities say Debra Lafave had sex with the boy in her classroom, in the home she shared with her husband and, on one occasion, in the back of her SUV while it was being driven by the student's 15-year old cousin.

Lafave was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor and faces prison time if convicted. She pleaded not guilty to the charges on July 19, 2004 — her first wedding anniversary.

Unreal Situation

Owen and Debra met in high school, but only started dating in college.

Records from earlier in their relationship clearly illustrate a woman in love. In tape recordings she made, she told him: "I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking about you. Close your eyes and just picture me kissing you."

Debra wrote in a photo album that she made: "I love my Owen because he is so sensitive, he completes me. He is all I have ever dreamed of."

"It's tough to hear," Owen told McFadden. "It's tough to look at."

Owen still has fond memories of their wedding day. "It was a beautiful wedding," he said. When he saw Debra walking down the aisle, he says, "I was just awestruck. She looked beautiful. And she took my breath away."

But Owen says he could not have begun to imagine a year ago what's happened since. "This whole situation is just bizarre. And there's often times when I just think that it, it just can't be real. It can't be happening to me," he said.

Owen says he even met the boy in question when they were on a school field trip.