Former Teacher Avoids Jail Time for Student Relationship

In Minnesota, a 27-year-old former special-education teacher has been sentenced for her involvement in a sexual relationship with a student. Ann Margaret Bacon, previously employed at Tartan High School, entered a guilty plea in September to charges related to third-degree criminal sexual conduct due to her improper relationship with a student.

On Monday, during a session at Ramsey County District Court, Judge Thomas Gilligan Jr. ordered Bacon to serve 180 days of her sentence under electronic home monitoring, which means she won’t have to spend that time in jail. Additionally, she will undergo two years of supervised probation and has received two days of credit for time already spent in custody.

Bacon’s employment at Tartan High School began in August 2022. The situation came to light when a witness raised concerns in July 2023 about the nature of Bacon’s relationship with an 18-year-old male student, suggesting it was inappropriate. There were claims that the student had been acting secretively while spending time with her.

Authorities discovered sexually explicit messages and photos involving Bacon and the student on his phone, including photos taken in a hotel room. According to the complaints, the student recounted his first encounter with Bacon, which reportedly took place in her car near his house.

Further investigation revealed that Bacon had reserved hotel rooms on multiple occasions for their encounters. Witnesses also reported that Bacon had purchased alcohol for minors. She reportedly received a $40 Venmo payment, described as “liqq,” but claimed she couldn’t recall who sent it or its purpose.

On February 8, 2024, as police interviewed her about the allegations, Bacon resigned from her teaching position. Tartan Principal Bethany DeCent assured families and staff that the safety and trust of the students were top priorities, emphasizing their cooperation with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.