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Substitute teacher whose sobbing mugshot went viral reaches plea deal in sex case involving student
By Sarah Rumpf-Whitten
Published May 07, 2026
A North Carolina substitute teacher who was photographed sobbing in a mugshot after admitting to having sex with a 15-year-old has reached a plea deal.
Katelyn Dawn Schronce, 33, was arrested on April 17, 2025, and was initially charged with statutory rape, which left her facing up to 30 years behind bars.
But she reached a deal on Thursday by pleading guilty to indecent liberties with a child and was sentenced to between 20 and 33 months in prison.
Katelyn Dawn Schronce, a former Catawba County substitute teacher, admitted to having sex with a 15-year-old. Schronce reached a plea deal and was sentenced to prison. (Catawba County Sheriff's Office)
As part of her sentence, she is also banned from contacting the 15-year-old child who was her victim.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Schronce's attorney, Glen Thomas, for comment.
Katelyn Schronce, a North Carolina substitute teacher, pleads guilty to indecent liberties with a child and receives 20 to 33 months in prison. (Google Maps)
Schronce, 33, who began working as a substitute teacher for Catawba County Schools in October 2024, was fired following the arrest, according to a statement from the school district.
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"Catawba County Schools was recently made aware of the arrest of substitute employee Katelyn Schronce for serious criminal charges," the district said. "There is no indication at this time that the charges are connected to her employment in our district."
Katelyn Schronce, a North Carolina substitute teacher, pleads guilty to indecent liberties with a child and receives 20 to 33 months in prison. (Google Maps)
"The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority, and we will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement as their investigation continues."
https://www.foxnews.com/us/substitute-teacher-whose-sobbing-mugshot-went-viral-reaches-plea-deal-sex-case-involving-student