Mexican boy in sex scandal could get visa

A 13-year-old illegal immigrant who fled to his native Mexico amid a sex scandal with his schoolteacher could be eligible to return to the U.S. under a new visa the government started granting the week before he disappeared, officials said.

The visa helps illegal immigrants who are victims of sex crimes. If the boy, who spent most of his life in Lexington, qualifies, he could stay legally in the U.S. for four years and eventually apply for permanent residency. It also would extend temporary residency to his parents and his unmarried siblings under 18, if they applied.

The boy and middle school teacher Kelsey Peterson, 25, were found in Mexicali, Mexico, 1,500 miles from where they disappeared Oct. 26. Authorities searched for them for one week.

Peterson is in federal custody in El Centro and is expected to be sent back to Nebraska to face federal charges of crossing state lines to have sex with a minor.