A married mother and teacher from Ohio has admitted guilt to 21 sexual offenses, which include incidents involving a female student who was only 13 years old when the abuse began.
Richland County Common Plea Judge Brent Robinson reported that Stephanie Erin Kellenberger, a 40-year-old sixth-grade English teacher, engaged in sexual abuse of the girl over an 18-month period at her residence.
Kellenberger pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault, classified as third-degree felonies, along with 17 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, also third-degree felonies.
Prosecutors offered her two sentencing options: either a 12-year prison term or a 15-year sentence that could allow for judicial release after 10 years. Court documents indicate she opted for the latter during her court appearance on Friday.
According to Richland County Prosecutor Brian Dove, the abuse commenced in February 2020 when the victim was just 13, continuing until the victim reached 14 and later began sexual relations at age 16. The relationship lasted until the victim was of legal age.
Judge Robinson noted that in Ohio, the age of consent is 16.
The judge further stated that Kellenberger’s actions persisted until October 2021.
Kellenberger’s defense attorney, James Mayer III, communicated some details to the judge, but the specifics of that conversation were not disclosed.
At the time of her crimes, Kellenberger was employed as a sixth-grade English and linguistic arts teacher in Shelby City. After the allegations surfaced, she was placed on paid administrative leave in February 2024. Following her charges in September, she resigned the next month, yet her profile remains visible on the Shelby City Schools website.
Notably, her Instagram account, where she identifies as a “wife, mom, teacher,” is still active.
The victim in this case suggested a three-year prison sentence for Kellenberger, but the judge deemed that punishment too lenient.
According to Dove, an agreement was reached to avoid the need for the victims to testify.
Under the terms of Kellenberger’s plea deal, she will be under supervision for five years post-release from prison and must register as a Tier 3 sex offender. This entails regular check-ins with law enforcement every 90 days for the rest of her life. Additionally, she is required to remain on electronic monitoring until her sentencing on October 6, avoid any further criminal acts, and permanently lose her teaching license.
