Metro-east woman sentenced for months-long sexual relationship with 14-year-old

A metro-east woman was sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a minor boy.

Amy L. Bryant, 44, of Bethalto, was sentenced Monday in Madison County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to criminal sexual assault. Prosecutors said Bryant admitted having a sexual relationship with the boy between Oct. 1, 2023, and April 15, 2025, according to the Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine’s office. The boy was 14 when it began and was an acquaintance of Bryant’s family.

Bryant also will be required to register as a sex offender for life under the terms of her conviction, the state’s attorney’s office said in a release.

The boy’s mother gave a victim impact statement in court, saying the case has profoundly affected her son.

“I want to begin by thanking the investigators, prosecutors and everyone involved in bringing this case to resolution,” she said, according to the statement released by the state’s attorney’s office. “I am grateful the system acting quickly on my son’s behalf, and that accountability is being imposed. But I need the court to understand that while this case may be reaching its conclusion, my son’s sentence is not over.”

The victim also addressed the court, saying Bryant “took away my sense of safety and trust, but she did not take away who I am,” according to the release. “I am rebuilding my life, finding my light again, and moving forward.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Buettner prosecuted the case. The Bethalto Police Department investigated.

Charges were filed May 4, 2026, less than a week after an anonymous tip was received, the release said.

“This perpetrator held a position of trust or supervision in relation to the victim, which makes the crime even more abhorrent,” Haine said in the statement. He credited Bethalto police and prosecutors for quickly resolving the case.

Madison County Circuit Judge Tim Berkley presided.

This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 3:44 PM.