Caon City Woman Sentenced On Child Sex Abuse Charges

A Caon City woman accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy who was later found dead of a drug overdose has been sentenced to 90 days in jail, plus 10 years to life on probation.

Thirty-year-old Brenda Harding also must register as a sex offender. Also, she cannot have contact with anyone under the age of 18, including her two children, until a risk assessment can be completed.

Harding pleaded guilty in August to sexual assault on a child. She had previously admitted to having a relationship with Tristen Hagen while acting as his babysitter.

Hagan, who hailed from Buena Vista, died in April in what authorities said was a suicide.

Although KRDO typically does not report the names of sexual assault victims, Hagen’s name was already well known as a result of the search that followed his disappearance.

At Harding’s sentencing hearing Monday, Judge Julie G. Marshall noted she was not sentencing Harding for the boy’s death.