MANSFIELD — Richland County Common Pleas Court Judge Brent Robinson sentenced Stefanie Kellenberger to 15 years in prison on Monday.
On Aug. 1, the former Shelby teacher pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with an underage student — which resulted in 21 felony counts being filed against her in September 2024.
Kellenberger, 40, turns 41 on Tuesday.
Those charges included four counts of sexual battery and 17 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor — all third-degree felonies.
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 Aug. 1.
That joint sentencing recommendation included 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 not obligated to follow the joint agreement, Robinson decided to stick with the sentencing agreement on Monday — which also included the requirement Kellenberger must be registered as a Tier III sex offender and re-register every 90 days for the rest of her life when she is released from prison.
“Don’t let anybody be confused, this is a 15-year prison sentence with the hope that you (Kellenberger) come back in 10 years and you’ve been a model inmate — you’ve done everything you were supposed to do (and) you haven’t got in any trouble at all,” Robinson said.
Robinson made certain findings among Kellenberger’s 21 counts in order to reach the 15-year sentence. He said each of the 21 counts resulted in 60 months in prison.
Counts one, two and three will be run consecutive, while counts four through 21 will run concurrently — resulting in a total definite sentence of 15 years in prison, Robinson said.
Kellenberger was also sentenced to five years of post-release control upon her release from prison. She agreed to permanently surrender her teaching license and to avoid all future contact with her victim.
Kellenberger was in a ‘position of trust’
Kellenberger’s sentencing stems from crimes which occurred from February 2020 to October 2021, Richland County Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher previously told Richland Source.
Kellenberger apologized to her victim during a statement prior to sentencing. The victim had also worked as a babysitter for Kellenberger’s daughter.
“I know that during this time, you were just a child and I was an adult in a position of trust,” she said. “I’m responsible for everything that happened between us.
“I put you in a position that no 14- or 15-year-old should ever have to be in. I’m so sorry for all of the emotional pain and hurt that I’ve caused you.
“I hope that my guilty pleas and this sentence will provide some degree of closure for you as you move on with your life,” Kellenberger said.
Kellenberger also apologized to her family, specifically her young daughter.
“I deeply regret the position that I have put all of them in and the impact that this will have on my child,” she said. “I fully accept the consequences of my actions and the sentence that I will be receiving today.”
Defense attorney James Mayer III told Robinson there would be no argument against the joint sentencing recommendation. Mayer did emphasize his client had no trouble with the law before this incident.
The defense attorney said Kellenberger’s guilty plea to all 21 counts represented ownership of her actions, as well as the consequences.
“I believe she is genuinely remorseful for her conduct,” Mayer said.
‘Good people can do bad things,’ says Schumacher
Schumacher summarized Kellenberger’s case as an example that “good people can do bad things.”
She said the joint sentencing recommendation was made in cooperation with and in consideration of Kellenberger’s victim.
As a result of Kellenberger’s conduct, the prosecutor said the victim is continuing to undergo counseling for the psychological harm caused to her.
“The defendant’s position and job obligated her to prevent these offenses and in fact, if they were to occur, to even bring them to justice,” Schumacher said. “The defendant in the position as a teacher was a mandated reporter.”
Seeing Kellenberger receive a lengthy prison sentence was not the most important result for her victim, the prosecutor said.
The victim had recommended Kellenberger spend three years in jail, but Robinson said he did not agree with that short of a sentence.
Schumacher said the victim struggled with thoughts that everything was her fault.
“The minor, the student was blaming herself,” she said. “Because of that she did not necessarily want to see the defendant, in the victim’s words, ‘Ruin her for the rest of her life.’ She did not want her to go to prison for the rest of her life.”
Schumacher said the most important request of the victim was that Kellenberger forfeit her license to teach, permanently.
“We believe that the recommendation between the parties is, in the end, both fair and just,” she told the judge.
