Stefanie Erin Kellenberger, a 40-year-old former teacher from Shelby City School District, has pleaded guilty to all 21 felony charges against her.
According to Richland County court records, these include 17 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and four counts of sexual battery.
She is expected to be sentenced in October and could face up to 15 years in prison.
The case started in March 2024, when the Shelby City School District placed Kellenberger on leave after they received “unsettling” allegations made against her.
An investigation revealed that she had been grooming and sexually abusing a student starting when the girl was just 13 years old.
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| Stefanie Erin Kellenberger |
According to PEOPLE, prosecutors say the abuse began in February 2020 and escalated in October 2021, when the victim turned 14.
The teacher reportedly started having sexual intercourse with the student from age 14 until she was 16, as per New York Post.
Under Ohio law, the age of consent is 16, which means any sexual activity with someone younger than that is considered illegal—regardless of whether they agreed to it or not.
"Consent was never an issue in this case," Kellenberger’s defense attorney, James Mayer III, told the court. "It's an age thing."
During the investigation, the Shelby City School District acted quickly by removing Kellenberger from her role and making sure she had no further contact with any students.
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| Stefanie Erin Kellenberger |
Superintendent Michael Browning sent a letter to parents, assuring them that the district was fully cooperating with law enforcement.
By December 2024, Kellenberger was officially replaced, but the damage had already been done.
The victim reportedly asked for a three-year sentence, but the judge deemed it too lenient, and approved a 15-year plea deal instead..
Kellenberger is scheduled to return to court on October 6, 2025, for sentencing.
As part of her punishment, she will also be required to register as a sex offender.
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