Jillian Gehrkens Gets 9 Months Prison

(Middlebury, Connecticut) In August 2005, a former guidance intern at Newtown High School, Jillian Gehrkens, was accused of engaging in a year-long sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student. Gehrkens was charged with two-counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of risk of injury to a minor. She was released on bond.

In September 2005, authorities revealed that the nature of the relationship between Gehrkens and the boy included afternoon "sexual sessions" at her home. Subsequent to the sessions, the boy would stay for dinner with Gehrkens and her husband.

While free on bond, Gehrkens was discovered to have contacted the boy on two occasions in violation of a no-contact order. As a result, she was placed on house arrest.

In January 2007, Gehrkens accepted a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to sexual assault in the second-degree and a charge of violating the conditions of her release.

Yesterday, 28-year-old Gehrkens was sentenced to nine months in prison with the balance of a seven-year sentence being suspended. She must register as a sex offender and will be on probation for 10 years.