On Monday, May 12th, 2025, Tasha Purnell – formerly known as Tasha Oliver – of Newark, Delaware, pled guilty to two counts of Rape Third Degree and one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child in the Superior Court of Delaware. The pleas follow an investigation into the rape of a child under the age of 16 led by the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit.
“The sexual abuse of a child, in any case, is heinous,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “When that abuse comes from an adult, much less a person in a position of trust such as a principal or teacher whose entire purpose is to guide and protect children, it is absolutely unthinkable. The defendant will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I am truly grateful to our prosecutors and the Delaware State Police for their excellent work on this case.”
Purnell, 44, then a teacher at Stanton Middle School, repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim throughout a period running between 2010 and 2014. Purnell served as principal of A.I Middle School from 2020 until her suspension and ultimate termination in September of 2024. No additional victims are believed to be associated with this case. Sentencing is currently scheduled for August of this year.