BUCKEYE, AZ — A former Verrado Middle School teacher has been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison after luring and kidnapping a 12-year-old student, according to court documents.
Brendan Barnett, 36, was sentenced Thursday in Maricopa County Court. He will receive 281 days of credit for time already served.
The investigation began on April 12, 2024, when school officials contacted police about possible inappropriate online chats between Barnett and a student. Detectives discovered Barnett had invited the student to his home for sleepovers, allegedly lying to the child’s parents by claiming he was the parent of another student who would also be attending.
Barnett was arrested in July 2024 following the investigation.
