Former teacher sentenced on
sexual interference charge

By Diane Spoor
Staff Reporter

A former Caroline teacher was sentenced in Red Deer Provincial Court of Justice on Monday, April 9.

Tyler Kanten, 44, was charged in October of 2022 after police received a report of the sexual assault of a youth. The assault did not occur at Caroline School and did not involve a student.

Kanten was originally charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. He pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual interference while the sexual assault charge was withdrawn by the Crown at a previous appearance.

In Red Deer Provincial Court of Justice on June 20, 2023, the Crown prosecutor read into the court record a brief agreed statement of facts. On Oct. 7, 2022, the youth victim was at Kanten’s home. Kanten provided alcohol and pizza for both he and the youth. The youth fell asleep and awoke to Kanten touching them. The following day the youth engaged in a text conversation with Kanten where Kanten acknowledged the events of the previous day.

In court on April 9, Kanten was given an 18-month conditional sentence order (CSO). Kanten must abide by a variety of conditions during the 18-months including house arrest, abiding by a curfew, take any counselling or assessment as directed, and not to possess any weapons.