Former Catawba County substitute teacher Katelyn Schronce has pleaded guilty to taking indecent liberties with a child and will serve 20 to 33 months in prison.
Court records show Schronce entered the guilty plea in recent days. A judge also ordered that she have no contact with the 15-year-old victim.
Schronce was arrested in April 2025 on statutory rape charges involving a victim under the age of 15. Following her arrest, Catawba County Schools stated there was no indication the allegations were connected to her employment with the district. Officials said Schronce began working as a substitute teacher in October 2024 and was immediately removed from her duties once the district learned of the allegations.
The school system also said student safety and well-being remain its top priority and pledged full cooperation with law enforcement throughout the investigation.
At the time of her arrest, Schronce was being held at the Catawba County Detention Center under a $250,000 bond. The guilty plea brings the criminal case to a close after drawing significant public attention when it was first reported last year.
