Delaware Middle School Principal Pleads Guilty to Years-Long Sexual Abuse of Student

A Delaware middle school principal is facing a lengthy period behind bars after admitting to sexually abusing a student over several years.

On Monday, 44-year-old Tasha Purnell pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree rape and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child. In exchange for her plea, prosecutors dropped 16 additional felony charges. Following the hearing, a judge revoked her bail, and she is now being held at the Delores J. Baylor Correctional Center until sentencing.

According to the Delaware Department of Justice, the abuse took place between 2010 and 2014, beginning when the victim was under 16. At the time, Purnell, who worked under the name Tasha Oliver, was a teacher at Stanton Middle School. She was later promoted to principal of A.I. Middle School in 2020 and held that role until her termination in September 2024. Both schools are part of the Red Clay Consolidated School District near Wilmington.

Public records show Purnell remained on the payroll after being placed on leave in September 2023. Parents and staff were not informed of the investigation or her indictment until months later, when a local outlet reported the case.

Prosecutors are recommending a maximum sentence of eight years in prison, though the charges allow for a range of six to 75 years. Sentencing is set for August.