MANSFIELD — A Shelby Middle School teacher has been indicted on 21 felony counts involving sexual crimes against a minor in Mansfield.
Stefanie Kellenberger, 39, of Mansfield was arraigned Thursday at 1:30 p.m. on all of the felony charges handed down by a Richland County grand jury, appearing before Magistrate Mackenzie Mayer.
Her charges include four counts of sexual battery and 17 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, according to Richland County Common Pleas Court records.
Each of the 21 allegations against Kellenberger are third-degree felonies, according to the indictments.
Richland County Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher told Richland Source the charges stem from conduct that allegedly occurred from February 2020 to October 2021 within the City of Mansfield.
The case’s victim was between the ages of 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged conduct, Schumacher said. It’s not been reported how Kellenberger came into contact with the alleged victim.
According to court records, Kellenberger is to have no contact with the victim, the victim’s family, and/or representatives. She is also to have no contact with juveniles, but may have supervised contact with her own child.
Bond was set at $250,000 cash or surety plus personal recognizance during Kellenberger’s arraignment Thursday.
Shelby superintendent issues statement
Shelby City Schools Superintendent Michael Browning sent a letter to district families Thursday evening in response to Kellenberger’s charges.
“As a follow-up to the communication sent on March 4, 2024, I have been informed that the staff member placed on administrative leave following serious allegations has been arrested, and criminal charges have been brought against them,” he wrote to parents.
“This news may be unsettling, especially for families with children in our schools.
“We have been in touch with the district’s legal counsel and are awaiting further guidance. As shared previously, the staff member was immediately placed on leave and has had no contact with students or staff since the investigation began.”
Browning said the district upholds and expects high standards of quality and conduct from all staff members.
“We remain committed to fostering a culture of respect, safety, and inclusivity for all students and staff. We will not and do not tolerate behavior that runs contrary to these values,” he wrote Thursday evening.
(Below is Browning’s full letter sent to district families Thursday evening.)
Browning received call from Mansfield PD Feb. 28
Browning previously told Richland Source March 5 that Kellenberger, a sixth-grade teacher at Shelby Middle School, was placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 28.
On March 4, Browning sent a letter to district families explaining he received a phone call from the Mansfield Police Department Feb. 28 at 7:20 p.m., informing him “allegations were made” against a middle school teacher.
Mansfield police Capt. Randy Carver told Richland Source on March 5 that Browning’s statement covered all information made available to the district and public at that time.
Carver said the investigation was being handled by the MPD because the alleged “crime or incident” occurred within the City of Mansfield.
The teacher was placed on paid administrative leave immediately after the MPD phone call, Browning said March 5.
“At Shelby City Schools, we care deeply about our students and staff, and as a result, we take every allegation very seriously,” the superintendent said in the March 4 letter to parents.
District announces plans to replace Kellenberger’s position
Shelby City Schools decided in May to replace Kellenberger’s position at its middle school.
On May 2, Browning sent a letter, which Richland Source obtained through a public records request, informing Kellenberger the district planned to fill her teaching position “to ensure continuity and allow teachers to collaborate over the summer months as they plan for the next school year.”
“While you (Kellenberger) are still on paid administrative leave, the district must begin planning for the next school year,” the superintendent wrote May 2.
“There is uncertainty about when the investigation will be completed, when the school can begin its Title IX investigation, and how long these processes will take.”
(Below are letters, which Richland Source obtained through a public records request, from Browning to Kellenberger on May 2 and Feb. 28.)
Kellenberger, hired by the district in 2015, taught sixth-grade English and language arts. Her salary for the 2023-2024 school year was $68,814.
She was told May 2 she could not attend school, school functions or engage in school-related extracurricular activities, “whether on Shelby City School District property or at any other location.”
Additionally, she was prohibited from accessing school equipment, computers or services.
The well-being of all Shelby students and staff “is of utmost importance,” Browning wrote March 4 to district families.
“I can commit to you that I will be as open and honest as I can throughout this entire process. As details become available, I will be sure to share them with you,” he wrote in March to parents.