Colorado- A Lakewood woman convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor was sentenced to nine years in prison Thursday in Jefferson District court.

Tani Leigh Firkins, 31, could have received up to 12 years for the felony charge, which stems from Firkins videotaping herself having sex with a 17-year-old male in her Lakewood residence.

The parents of the victim, who is now 19, say Firkins sexually assaulted their son more than 100 times, beginning in August 2000 when he was 14 years old.

Thursday’s emotional sentencing hearing included statements from the victim, his parents, attorneys, six supporters of Firkins – including her mother – and from Firkins herself.

“I stand before you a guilty woman – absolutely I am,” Firkins said to Judge Peter A. Weir. “Your honor, I am going to beg for your mercy.”

Weir took several minutes to talk about the case before reading his sentence. He cited the impact of sexual exploitation crimes on the community and a state legislature that has advocated strong punishments for sexual exploitation crimes against children.

“There are few laws this state takes more seriously,” he said, adding that the “horribly egregious” circumstances of this particular case also factored into his ruling.

Firkins has known the victim’s parents since 1993. According to a statement by the father, they provided Firkins with low-income housing three times through their charitable housing program. Firkins worked for the parents at a child care center and even attended church with them, while frequently having sex with their son “right under our noses,” the father said.

In September of 2004 Firkins gave birth to a girl fathered by the victim, causing the victim to tell his parents, for the first time, about a three-year sexual history.

“There’s a good chance we wouldn’t have found out (otherwise),” the father said Thursday.

The victim’s mother read a lengthy statement to the court, on the verge of tears throughout.

“This whole situation has been my worst nightmare come true,” she said. “I am a sexual assault victim myself.”

Assaults by a friend of the family during her childhood, the mother said, let her “know firsthand” the impact Firkins has had on her son.

The victim, who graduated from high school this year, spoke about the potential impact on his baby girl, now nearly a year old.

“She will have to deal with the knowledge that she is the end result of repeated sexual assaults,” he said.

Firkins’ mother, Brush resident Dena Montgomery, spoke proudly of her daughter.

“This monster that has been painted is not my daughter,” she said. “I cannot comprehend it.”

The victim’s parents allege that Firkins frequently held parties for teens at her home, supplying them with marijuana and alcohol. Firkins has two children from a previous relationship, and the victim’s parents accused her of threatening the children and telling them not to speak about the drugs or parties.

“Her children are her world,” argued Andrea Thomas, a cousin and longtime friend of Firkins. “She lives for her children.”

Hands cuffed behind her back, Firkins looked at her mother as she walked out of the courtroom and into custody.

“Kiss my babies for me,” she said. Her mother is caring for Firkins’ children from the previous relationship.

Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey said he was “very pleased” with Thursday’s sentence, which may not be the last for Firkins.

The victim’s parents have scheduled a meeting next month with Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, to discuss filing further charges for assaults that occurred in Denver.

Both parents said that nine years was not enough for Firkins.

“This round is over,” the father said. “Now we’re going to Denver.”