IDAHO FALLS – An Idaho middle school physical education teacher who admitted having a sexual relationship with one of her students was sentenced Thursday morning.
Kari Atkinson, 28, will be serving 2 to 18 years in prison. She also can't have contact with the victim for 18 years.
According to the plea deal with the Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office, Atkinson pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd conduct with a minor and three counts of lewd conduct with a minor were dismissed.
Atkinson taught at Sandcreek Middle School in Ammon, which is near Idaho Falls.
The secret relationship with the 14-year-old boy lasted about four to six months over the summer. During the sentencing, it was revealed the pair had several sexual encounters over a long period of time.
"What I did was not OK," said Atkinson in court. She also said it was wrong of her to think he was an adult and cross those boundaries.
After the sentence was read, she broke down and couldn't even stand up. The packed courtroom filled with family and friends of Atkinson were sobbing.
Atkinson gave her family a final hug and was then escorted by security to be transported to jail.
