It was Tooele County's second sentencing of this sort in recent months. Last fall, a 29-year-old Tooele High School substitute teacher got probation and a fine for having sex with a 17-year-old student who claimed he was 18.

"This type of thing has been happening for a long time," prosecutor Gary Searle said after the hearing. "But we're becoming more open to it, as a society, and now it's being reported."

Sentenced on Tuesday was Leslie Baird, a 42-year-old math and computer lab coordinator who had sex with two 17-year-olds.

Baird and the boys - who all had been drinking - happened to meet at a Tooele convenience store, then drove to a campground near Rush Lake.

Baird had sexual intercourse there with both boys, but not at the same time, Searle said. The sexual liaison occurred following a school dance where Baird had acted as a chaperone, he said.

Baird was charged with two counts of first-degree felony forcible sodomy and one count of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse.

Had Baird not been a teacher and in a "position of trust" with the victims, the crimes would have been charged as third-degree felonies, according to Searle.

In a separate case, Baird was charged with sending sexually explicit text messages that were read by two students.

As part of a deal, Baird pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. All other charges were dismissed.

Baird's sentencing followed a 90-day evaluation at the Utah State Prison, where officials concluded she was a good candidate for probation.

In addition to jail time, 3rd District Judge Mark Kouris ordered Baird to complete sex-offender treatment, perform 45 hours of community service and pay for the victims' counseling costs.

Kouris said he would review Baird's jail term after she has served 60 days behind bars.

Baird apologized to the victims and said she took responsibility for her actions.

"I was the adult," she told the judge. "I took advantage of them. I exploited them."

Searle said after the hearing that Baird is "a changed person" from the woman who last year claimed she had done nothing wrong because the teens were willing participants.

"The arrogance and attitude and victim-stance is gone," Searle said of the newly enlightened defendant.

Defense attorney William Parsons III told news reporters that his client has recognized "she can't allow childish behavior to supersede adult wisdom.

"She is a repentant person who will not cause any difficulty in the future."

shunt@sltrib.com