A woman will serve one year on probation after having a romantic relationship with a resident at Pierceton Woods Academy.
Dena Sue Patel, 52, North Judson, was charged with sexual misconduct by a service provider, a level 6 felony.
Patel was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court I on Thursday.
Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Patel to one year in the Kosciusko County Jail, with the entirety of the sentence suspended on probation. A no-contact order between Patel and the victim remains in effect.
McGrath also showed no objection to the felony being modified to a misdemeanor if Patel successfully completes probation.
At sentencing, Deputy Prosecutor Joseph Sobek said the plea agreement in the case was the result of significant deposition, including statements from the victim, who was an adult at the time of the incident. He also noted Patel had no criminal history.
Patel said she was undergoing counseling and working on bettering herself.
On April 19, 2023, a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office detective was assigned an investigation at Pierceton Woods Academy.
According to court documents, in text messages with a co-worker, Patel admitted to having a romantic relationship with a resident. Surveillance footage from the academy showed Patel entering a building to the resident's unit four times during her scheduled days off.
In an interview, the resident said they were in a relationship with Patel for about four to six weeks. They also said Patel gave them gifts and that they no longer have contact with Patel.
Due to a malfunction with KCJ's booking camera at the time, there is no photo of Patel available for publication.