An ex-Washington high school teacher was spared jail after having sex with a 17 year-old schoolboy behind her husbands back.
McKenna Kindred, 25, must now register as a sex offender for the next 10 years after she pled guilty to first-degree sexual misconduct and inappropriate communication with a minor.
In court, Kindred openly sobbed as she apologized to the victim, Elijhah Beckley, and his family for her crimes. She said she was ‘deeply ashamed’ of what she had done.
Spokane County Superior Court Judge Dean Chuang sentenced her to 24 months probation and $700 in fines and fees.
Although the age of consent in Washington State is 16, adults can be charged if they have sex with children in their care, up to the age of 18.
McKenna Kindred, 25, pled guilty to having sex with a 17-year-old student in court
The Central Valley High School teacher was spared jail with 24 months probation and received a $700 fine
Kindred, 25, had been free on bond since her initial arrest in December 2022
The student, Elijah Beckley, came round to her house and had sex while her husband was away
‘I am truly sorry for my actions,’ Kindred said. ‘I know that this past year has been enormously stressful for all involved.
‘As a result of my actions I’ve lost my career, valuable friendships, freedoms and have let down countless people who placed their trust in me.
‘My mental health has also been severely affected by this event. I am deeply ashamed of the pain I have caused.’
Family members of the victim could be seen wiping away tears during the hearing.
Court documents detail how Beckley came round to her house and had sex while Kindred’s husband Kyle was out of town.
Classmates of the teen came forward to tell school officials how he was inappropriately messaging Kindred via Instagram and became defensive when questioned about the relationship.
Beckley’s mother, Ashley, delivered an impact statement in court in which she told how her son’s life had been irreparably harmed by what happened
Judge Dean Chuang sentenced her to 24 months probation and $700 in fines and fees
Kindred also reported to administration how she was being harassed by someone on social media, accusing her of a sexual relationship with a student that she denied.
Detectives never found any photos ‘that appeared overtly sexual in nature’ but there were messages referencing masturbation.
Beckley, who was interviewed by police at his home admitted how he had started messaging Kindred in June 2022. He also admitted to police that he had gone to Kindred’s house where they had sex.
He also admitted to sharing explicit pictures and videos with Kindred, according to court records.
Kindred had been free on bond since her initial arrest in December 2022. She was immediately placed on administrative leave.
Former Central Valley High School teacher McKenna Kindred is seen in photos from her father’s Facebook page
The blonde former teacher who resigned in last year, openly sobbed as she read a statement in court on Thursday.
‘I know this past year has been incredibly difficult for all involved. As a result of my actions, I’ve lost my career, valuable friendships, freedoms and have let down countless people who placed their trust in me.
Beckley’s mother, Ashley, delivered an impact statement in court in which she told how her son’s life had been irreparably harmed by what happened. She explained how the two had been sharing explicit photos over Instagram.
She said Kindred’s actions were an ‘abuse of power’ and that she started to ‘groom’ him when he was 16.
‘A light he used to carry has been dimmed,’ she said.
‘I barely slept for several weeks in fear of the physical retaliation [my son] might be victim too as McKenna involved him in her adult marital affairs.’