Megan Skye Blancada faces jail after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a child

The Wolf Creek actor, model reality TV contestant now faces an automatic prison sentence under SA law.

Model, author and reality TV contestant Megan Skye Blancada has confessed to sexually abusing a teenage boy - and now faces an automatic prison sentence under SA law.

Blancada became visibly emotional in the Adelaide Magistrates Court dock on Thursday as she pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a child - an offence formerly called maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.

Under state law, that offence carries a maximum sentence of life and can not be suspended nor served on home detention.

Outside court, Blancada’s lawyer, Andrew Graham, read a statement on behalf of his client.

“Ms Blancada just wants to say she’s extremely sorry for what she has done,” he said.

Megan Skye Blancada, centre, leaves Adelaide Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to child sex charges.

“There’s a teenage victim in this matter, and she hopes that her pleading guilty this morning helps relieve any anxiety or stress he had about giving evidence (in a trial).

“As there will be sentencing submissions made, it’s not appropriate to comment further.”

Blancada, 34, of Salisbury East, was arrested and charged with one count of knowingly being in possession of child exploitation material.

She was further charged with one count of being an adult who has sexually abused a child.

Court documents allege those offences were committed against a male under the age of 16 at various locations between January 2021 and November 2023.

Blancada’s credits include the show Who Wants To Be a Supermodel and the films Wolf Creek and Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueburger.

Megan Skye Blancada outside the Adelaide Magistrates after a previous hearing. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

Megan Skye Blancada. Picture: Supplied

Last month, her counsel flagged their intent to resolve her case by plea bargain – parents at her child’s private school, meanwhile, complained about her being permitted onto the site.

In court on Thursday, Mr Graham said Blancada would contest the child exploitation material count but was prepared to enter her plea to the sexual abuse allegation.

Asked, by Magistrate Brian Nitschke, for her plea, she replied “guilty”.

Jess Fong, prosecuting, said Blancada’s bail should be revoked because, having pleaded guilty, she would eventually receive a prison term that could not be suspended.

Mr Graham said his client had never breached her bail nor committed any other offence, and that he would seek to argue her crime could be dealt with by way of a good behaviour bond.

Mr Nitschke declined to revoke bail and remanded Blancada to face the District Court in April, when a date for sentencing submissions will be set.

He further ordered she face the Adelaide Magistrates Court again in May on the child exploitation material charge.