A former substitute teacher in North Carolina has been sentenced to prison following a plea agreement regarding her involvement with a minor.
Katelyn Dawn Schronce, 33, faced significant legal scrutiny after being arrested last year.
Initially, Schronce was charged with statutory rape, an offense that carried a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
The case drew public attention after images of the defendant following her arrest circulated widely.
Under the terms of a negotiated plea deal, the charges were reduced to indecent liberties with a child.
Consequently, the court sentenced her to a term ranging from 20 to 33 months in custody.
The sentencing concludes a legal process that began in April of the previous year.
As part of the court order, Schronce is strictly prohibited from having any contact with the victim, who remains unidentified.
Schronce had been employed as a substitute teacher across two different schools within the district.
Her tenure in the school system was relatively brief, lasting only six months before the allegations surfaced.
Upon learning of the investigation, school district officials took immediate action to terminate her employment.
The district emphasized that the incident did not appear to be directly linked to her professional duties within the classroom.
Catawba County Schools issued a statement following the sentencing to reiterate their commitment to student safety.
Officials noted that the well-being of their student body remains the highest priority for the administration.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges school districts face regarding the vetting and monitoring of temporary staff.
While the legal proceedings have reached a resolution, the impact of such incidents often leaves a lasting impression on the local community.
Legal experts suggest that plea agreements are common in cases where evidence and sentencing guidelines are complex.
This specific outcome reflects the court's decision to balance the severity of the offense with the parameters of the state's criminal justice system.
The defendant will now serve her time in a state correctional facility.
Further oversight may be required upon her eventual release to ensure compliance with the court's protective mandates.