A Florida school teacher finds herself in a time out for some of the time she took off from work, allegedly lying that she was terminally ill.

According to a report Thursday on WFTV, Orlando's ABC affiliate, Ashley Barker, a first-grade teacher in Polk Country's Laurel Elementary School, kept up her ruse for a year, claiming that she and her father were afflicted with terminal diseases, thought the diseases have not yet been reported.

Because of the supposed illness and heartbreaking tale, Barker was allowed to leave the school early and take any number of days off, and had accommodations made for her by school officials. Instead of visiting medical facilities, Barker allegedly spent her time at home.

Barker has been suspended without pay and faces termination, though she is appealing the school board's decision.

Barker's termination letter, obtained by ABC News, stated that school administrators reviewed approximately 120 emails Barker sent over nearly a year about her and her father's supposed illnesses.

"It was later discovered," wrote Assistant Superintendent Dennis Dunn, "that you and your father were not ill and that you had lied in the emails.

"When (Personnel Investigator Manny) Rodriguez asked you what you did during the time you did not go to work or were allowed to leave work early, you responded that you stayed home."

A spokesperson for the district would not say how they discovered Barker's lies, but did state that the situation was unprecedented in the district.

The television station was not able to communicate with Barker or her lawyers.

Check out the ABC News story about Ashley Barker's case.

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