Ex-school counselor in Kansas sentenced for rape

SALINA, Kan. – A former Kansas school counselor was sentenced to almost 14 years for the rape of a 13-year-old male student.

Brooke Dinkel was sentenced Thursday to 13 years and nine months, followed by lifetime supervision, for two counts of rape.

Before sentencing, Dinkel’s attorney unsuccessfully argued for an acquittal, saying Dinkel was mentally unstable and not capable of forming criminal intent. Dinkel claimed at the hearing that the boy raped her. Prosecutors noted Dinkel, who worked at Smoky Valley Middle School in Lindsborg, gave the boy gifts and encouraged the relationship.

The Salina Journal reports Saline County District Judge Patrick Thompson departed from a state sentencing guideline of 25 years to life, citing Dinkel’s significant psychological issues, her minor criminal history and that the rapes were not forcible.

This story was originally published December 5, 2014 at 9:56 AM with the headline "Ex-school counselor in Kansas sentenced for rape."