MANSFIELD — Stefanie Kellenberger pleaded guilty Friday in Richland County Common Pleas Court to all 21 felony counts filed against her almost a year ago.
Kellenberger appeared before Richland County Common Pleas Court Judge Brent Robinson at 9:30 a.m. on Friday for her change of plea hearing.
The 40-year-old Mansfield woman entered guilty pleas to four counts of sexual battery and 17 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, Dawn Brown, Robinson’s bailiff, told Richland Source Friday afternoon.
Robinson will determine the sentence during a hearing on Oct. 6 at 2 p.m., Brown confirmed.
Attorneys for the prosecution and the defense agreed to recommend a 15-year prison sentence, Richland County Assistant Prosecutor Bryan Dove told Richland Source on Friday.
Defense attorney James Mayer III declined comment before sentencing.
Dove said the joint sentencing recommendation includes the possibility for judicial release after 10 years behind bars as long as Kellenberger does not re-offend and makes no contact with the case’s victim while in prison.
While Robinson does not have to follow the joint agreement, Dove said the judge intends to follow through with the recommended sentencing — pending any new information with the case or bond issues.
A pre-sentence investigation in Kellenberger’s case began immediately after her hearing Friday morning, the assistant prosecutor said.
In Ohio, a pre-sentence investigation is conducted by a probation officer after a defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty.
It involves an in-depth interview with the defendant, gathering information about their background, criminal history, and the circumstances of the offense. This information is compiled into a report for the judge to consider when determining the sentence.
Kellenberger resigned from sixth-grade position in October 2024
Kellenberger was placed on paid administrative leave in February 2024 after Shelby Supt. Michael Browning received a phone call from Mansfield police.
Browning previously said he was informed on the call that “allegations were made” against a middle school teacher.
In March 2024, Mansfield police Capt. Randy Carver said the investigation was being handled by MPD because the alleged “crime or incident” occurred within the City of Mansfield.
A few months later, the superintendent informed 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.”
She was indicted in September 2024 by a county grand jury on 21 felony counts involving sexual crimes against a minor in Mansfield — including four counts of sexual battery and 17 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Each of the 21 allegations against Kellenberger are third-degree felonies, according to Richland County Common Pleas Court records.
In October 2024, Richland County Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher told Richland Source the charges stem from conduct that allegedly occurred from February 2020 to October 2021 in Mansfield.
The case’s victim was between the ages of 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged conduct, Schumacher said previously.
Less than two weeks after being indicted, Kellenberger resigned from her sixth-grade teaching position at Shelby.
