Delaware middle school principal pleads guilty to raping child, admits to years of abuse
WILMINGTON, Del. — “Tasha Purnell, [41, formerly known as Tasha Oliver], a former middle school principal in Delaware, pled guilty on Monday to two counts of third-degree rape and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child.”
“Purnell, 44, was a teacher at Stanton Middle School when she repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim between 2010 and 2014. She later served as principal of A.I. Middle School from 2020 until her suspension and termination in September 2024. Authorities do not believe there are additional victims associated with this case.
In a plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop 16 additional felony sexual crime charges and will recommend a maximum sentence of eight years in prison, despite the charges carrying a potential sentence of six to 75 years. Sentencing was scheduled for August.
Public records indicate that Purnell continued to receive her salary after being placed on leave in September 2023, when the investigation began. Parents and teachers were not informed of the probe or her indictment on 19 charges in August 2024, learning of the situation only when local outlet WHYY reported the story two months ago, PEOPLE reported.” - WKRC
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