A TEACHER who had sex with her teenage student while her husband was out of town has broken down in tears after being spared jail.
McKenna Kindred, 25, cried in a courtroom as she apologised to her victim and said she was "deeply ashamed" of her actions.
The ex-Washington high school teacher pleaded guilty on Thursday to amended charges of second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor and communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
She was sentenced to two years' probation and $700 (£550) in fines and fees, and must now register as a sex offender for 10 years.
Kindred and the student, 17, began a relationship in June 2022 after the teen found his teacher's Instagram account, Spokesman reports.
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The pair began speaking and in November of the same year, reportedly while Kindred's husband was away hunting, the student came to Kindred's house and they had sex.
On Thursday, Kindred said: "I am truly sorry for my actions. 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 wiped tears from their faces.
The child's mother said Kindred's "predatory actions" were an "abuse of power" that stripped her son of his dreams.
"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 to as McKenna involved him in her adult marital affairs."
She claimed that Kindred started to "groom" her son when he was 16.
Central Valley School District said last year that Kindred had resigned from her position at Central Valley High School in Spokane Valley.
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The teen's classmates had earlier told school officials that he and Kindred were speaking inappropriately via Instagram, and that he became defensive when questioned about the relationship.
Kindred, meanwhile, reported to administration that she was being harassed by someone on social media who had accused her of having a sexual relationship with a student - which she denied.
Detectives did not find any photographs shared between the two "that appeared overtly sexual in nature", according to court documents, although some messages referenced masturbation.
The teenager told police in interview that he had started messaging Kindred in June 2022, and that he had gone to Kindred's house where they had sex.
He also admitted to sharing explicit pictures and video with the teacher, according to court records.
Kindred had been on bond since she was arrested in December 2022.
