Former substitute teacher from St. Paul convicted of sex crimes involving student

A substitute teacher who pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with a student was sentenced to five years probation on Tuesday.

Caitlin Thao, 25, of St. Paul, was sentenced in Ramsey County to five years probation, 160 hours of community service and must register as a sexual assault offender.

In addition, Thao is not allowed to have any contact with minors or vulnerable adults and is not allowed to hold any position of power over them. Thao is also prohibited from having any contact with the victim.

Thao was charged with third-degree sexual abuse in May. In July, she pleaded guilty to an amended charge of fourth-degree sexual abuse in exchange for a lesser sentence.

As previously reported, court documents state that school administrators requested a meeting with Thao after hearing complaints about inappropriate behavior between her and other students.

Thao resigned during that meeting on February 26.

The victim told officers that Thao bought him things and talked to him on messaging apps, the indictment says. He also said that Thao told him to meet her in a classroom at the school in early February and then engaged in sexual acts with her when he got there. She then later asked him to have further relationships, the victim said, adding that he declined.

A police investigation revealed that Thao filled out a child abuse form at Regions Hospital on March 9, stating that she had had a sexual relationship with a student at the school where she taught.

Regions' report added that Thao's husband learned of the incident and informed the victim's parents on March 8.