A teacher accused of taking part in sex acts with a 17-year-old student was sentenced today to serve 45 days in the Larimer County jail.
Carrie McCandless, a former Brighton Charter School teacher, was taken into custody immediately after her hearing at Larimer County District Court.
McCandless received two deferred sentences for class 4 and class 6 felonies for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and tampering with physical evidence.
She received probation, which includes completion of a sex-offender program for a class 1 misdemeanor of unlawful sexual contact.
She pleaded guilty to the charges on April 24.
McCandless was accused of fondling a student during a field trip in late October 2006 to Estes Park.
She also was accused of bringing and sharing alcohol during the trip.
Tommy Clay, the student, and his parents, declined to submit witness statements and chose not to attend today’s sentencing, said district attorney Mike Pierson. (The Denver Post is using Clay’s name because he has chosen to identify himself in public as the victim.)
Judge James Hiatt, who presided over the hearing, said McCandless’ behavior “crossed moral and criminal lines.”
