Michelle Farley apologized to her family, friends and "family of teachers" for having an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student last year.

"I want to apologize to (the teen) and his family for the embarrassment and hurt I caused," the former Borah High philosophy teacher said. "It hurts me that I have hurt so many people because what I did was so wrong."

Farley left the courtroom in handcuffs Friday, on her way to the Ada County Jail, where she could spend the next six months after pleading guilty to a charge of felony sexual battery of a minor.

Fourth District Judge Timothy Hansen told Farley she can ask for an early release once she completes a class on "thinking errors" at the jail. But she will spend the next decade on probation, have to undergo sex-offender treatment and pay a $2,000 fine.

Farley remained calm and stoic for much of her hearing but did cry when her attorney, Chuck Peterson, asked Hansen if he could craft a sentence which would allow Farley to walk her 5-year-old son to his first day of kindergarten next fall.

The teen did not attend Friday's sentencing hearing. Ada County prosecutors say he was in Farley's psychology class in the 2008/2009 school year when the two began their sexual relationship. Court records say the boy told police he had as many as 15 sexual encounters with Farley between May and Oct. 30.

Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Fafa Alidjani told Hansen that Farley displayed "classic grooming behavior," giving him attention and gifts before the relationship got sexual.

Alidjani also said the teen suffered humiliation once news of Farley's arrest got out, since many students knew who he was - including students at other schools who watched sporting events he participated in.

But Peterson said the teen turned 18 in October and was a willing participant in the relationship.

"She was attracted to a younger man," Peterson said. "It is not a case of sexual abuse of an adolescent."

He said police only found out what happened after the teen bragged about his relationship, telling at least one of his friends he did it to "become a legend."

"Only he didn't become a legend. He became a pariah," Peterson said. "He brought the whole thing down on his head."

Peterson also pointed out that a psycho-sexual evaluation showed Farley was a low risk to re-offend and would be amenable to treatment.

Hansen, though, said the teen was too young to make informed decisions on relationships with older adults.

"I want to emphasize for the record, ma'am, you are a sexual offender," Hansen said. "You will be a sex offender under Idaho law."

Patrick Orr: 373-6619