A former Washington high school teacher escaped jail time after having sex with a 17-year-old schoolboy behind her husband’s back.
McKenna Kindred, 25, must now register as a sex offender for the next 10 years after pleading guilty to first-degree sexual misconduct and inappropriate communication with a minor.
In court, Kindred sobbed openly as he apologized to the victim, Elijhah Beckley, and his family for his crimes. She said she was “deeply ashamed” of what she had done.
Spokane County Superior Court Judge Dean Chuang sentenced her to 24 months of 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 age 18.
McKenna Kindred, 25, pleaded guilty to having sex with a 17-year-old student in court
Central Valley High School teacher avoided jail time with 24 months of probation and fined $700
Kindred, 25, had been free on bail since his initial arrest in December 2022.
The student, Elijah Beckley, came to her house and had sex while her husband was away.
“I truly regret my actions,” Kindred said. ‘I know the last year has been hugely stressful for everyone involved.
‘As a result of my actions, I lost my career, valued friendships, freedoms, and disappointed countless people who placed their trust in me.
‘My mental health has also been seriously affected by this event. “I am deeply ashamed of the pain I have caused.”
During the hearing, the victim’s relatives could be seen wiping away tears.
Court documents detail how Beckley came home and had sex while Kindred’s husband, Kyle, was out of town.
The teen’s classmates came forward to tell school officials how he was sending inappropriate messages to Kindred over Instagram and became defensive when asked about the relationship.
Beckley’s mother, Ashley, gave a powerful statement to the court in which she told how her son’s life had been irreparably damaged by what happened.
Judge Dean Chuang sentenced her to 24 months of probation and $700 in fines and fees.
Kindred also reported to the administration how someone was harassing her on social media, accusing her of having a sexual relationship with a student that she denied.
Detectives never found any photos “that appeared overtly sexual in nature,” but there were messages that referenced 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 home where they had sex.
He also admitted to sharing explicit photos and videos with Kindred, according to court records.
Kindred had been out on bail since her initial arrest in December 2022. She was immediately placed on administrative leave.
Former Central Valley High School teacher McKenna Kindred appears in photos on her father’s Facebook page.
The blonde former teacher who resigned last year sobbed openly as she read a statement in court Thursday.
‘I know the last year has been incredibly difficult for everyone involved. As a result of my actions, I lost my career, valuable friendships, freedoms, and disappointed countless people who placed their trust in me.
Beckley’s mother, Ashley, gave a powerful statement to the court in which she told how her son’s life had been irreparably damaged by what happened. She explained how the two had been sharing explicit photos on Instagram.
He said Kindred’s actions were an “abuse of power” and that he began “grooming” him when he was 16.
“A light I used to carry has gone dim,” he said.
“I barely slept for several weeks for fear of physical retaliation (my son) could also be a victim, as McKenna involved him in her adult marital affairs.”