NEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- The former special education teacher at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School accused of faking a cancer diagnosis and collecting tens of thousands in donations pleaded guilty in court Wednesday.

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that Heather Faria, 27, pleaded guilty to six charges at her arraignment in New Bedford Superior Court on Wednesday, including five counts of larceny over $250 and one count of gross fraud. In all, prosecutors said, Faria stole an estimated $35,000 in donations.

A courtroom packed with her family, friends and victims heard Faria admit her guilt. The prosecutor said as Faria's story grew, so did the donations. He said Faria even made up a story about her doctor.

"This doctor, according to Miss Faria, was also romantically interested in her and would shower her with gifts -- gifts ranging from new clothing, to new bags, to expensive jewelry," prosecutor Steve Gagne said.

Gagne said there were photos of Faria vacationing on St. Marten -- a trip paid for with donated funds.

The prosecution said the money she stole while faking stomach cancer is secondary to the trust that she broke among the hundreds of people who rushed to help her. Judge Richard Chin listened as some of the victims gave impact statements.

"Miss Faria's students are devastated, they are hurt and they are angry. Her actions will affect her fellow teachers, the citizens of our two communities and most of all her students for many years to come," said Jeffrey Day, of the Teachers Association.

"She's sincerely sorry for the hurt that she's caused to people. She's accepted responsibility in the case and from day one, she was willing to plead guilty," defense attorney Francis O'Boy.

Faria left the court without comment, but her relatives rushed to her defense.

"She made a big mistake and she knows it and she is sorry. She has a lot of pressure on her right now and she doesn't need you people," a relative of Faria's said after the court proceeding.

Elaine Phaneuf is a cancer survivor who contributed $100 to Faria.

"It is very upsetting. It is not just the money -- she can keep the $100 or whatever my daughter gave her and I wouldn't care. It is just a horrible, horrible, cruel, vicious lie and something has to be wrong with her. Something has to be psychologically wrong with the girl to do that," she said.

"The harm has been praying for someone, taking someone into your home, having them teach your children, having them speak to their children, children who believe in the best in everybody and having that all be a betrayal," Gagne said.

Faria will be sentenced on June 15. The defense wants Faria to receive probation and community service working with cancer patients. The prosecution wants Faria to go to jail.

Faria resigned her teaching position last June.