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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A former Sioux Falls middle school teacher who admitted to having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Thirty-three-year-old Tonya Drueppel was charged in a five-count indictment last year. She pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual contact with a child younger than 16 in February.
Both the victim and the victim's mother testified during Friday's sentencing hearing. The Argus Leader reports the victim said she is going to forgive Drueppel because "it's the right thing to do."
Drueppel worked for the Sioux Falls School District between 2009 and 2013. She was a teacher at Axtell Park Middle School.
Police began investigating her after a referral from the Department of Social Services.
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