Former teacher who held a relationship with a student, sentenced to prison

The case against a former Shawnee school teacher came to a close Tuesday when Kyle Baker was sentenced to prison.

The 28-year-old was sentenced to four and a half years. He was handed 48 months for each of three counts of sexual battery, but to be served concurrently. He was also sentenced to six months for the charge of tampering with evidence which will run consecutively to his 48-month sentence. Baker expressed his apologies to the victim, his family and the community

"I feel terrible about my poor choice every day I wake up," Baker said. "Not only am I sorry because the young lady and I got caught, but because I was in a position of trust, betrayed the Shawnee community, parents, students and the entire profession of teaching."

Baker was arrested back in December after police received a tip that he was having a relationship with a then 14-year-old student. During sentencing, Baker said the student came to him to discuss personal problems she was having and a friendship blossomed from that.

"Then things escalated into a relationship and months later the young lady wished to be intimate and I made a wrong choice. In a nutshell, at the time our actions grew to be a byproduct  of our emotions"

Three people spoke on Baker’s behalf and attested to his remorse. Judge David Cheney said he could see that, as well.

"He just seemed so remorseful," said Joe Campoli, a friend of Baker's. "He didn’t point the finger he pointed the thumb. He admitted to making a great mistake which we all do at one point or another in our lives."

"Unfortunately, the reason we’re all here today, is you were not the adult you should’ve been in a criminal realm," Judge Cheney said. "Number two and I think nearly equally important is you were not the adult you should have been in the educational setting." 

After serving his time, Baker will have to register as a tier three sex offender.