A former Greeley teacher convicted of having sex with a middle school boy about 45 times in the course of a year was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in prison.
Katerina Bardos, 25, was also sentenced to five years of parole after her prison time is served, according to a Weld County District Attorney’s Office media release.
On March 3, Bardos pleaded guilty to felony child abuse and criminal attempt to commit sexual assault on a child.
Bardos was a teacher at Brentwood Elementary School when she met and formed a relationship with a then 12-year-old boy, according to police records.
Bardos fostered a close relationship with the boy’s mother and sisters, described at court hearings as “like family.”
In 2014, acting as the boy’s mentor, Bardos admittedly had between 40 and 50 times, according to the release.
“It is most unfortunate when someone we entrust with our children’s safety and well-being takes advantage of that inherent expectation,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Thea Carrasco said in the release.
The possible sentencing range which was available to the court under the plea agreement, according to the release, was from four to 20 years in prison.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822, knicholson@denverpost.com or @kierannicholson
