Fairborn football coach accused of assaulting 2 children released from jail

FAIRBORN — The Fairborn High School head varsity football coach accused of assaulting two children is no longer in jail after making his initial court appearance on domestic violence and child endangering charges Wednesday morning.

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Cory Hardin, 34, was formally charged with one count of domestic violence and one count of child endangering, a Kettering police spokesperson told News Center 7 Tuesday afternoon. He was arrested at a house in the 3200 block of Ackerman Boulevard around 8 a.m. Monday, jail records indicate.

Hardin pleaded not guilty in Kettering Municipal Court Wednesday morning and was released on his own recognizance, online court records show.

Police were called to a house on Ackerman Boulevard to investigate “concerns of possible child abuse,” according to a Kettering police incident report, obtained by News Center 7 through a public records request.

Court records accused Hardin of physically assaulting two children. Both incidents were captured on video, according to court records.

On the video, court records said Hardin can be seen verbally abusing four children.

“I think when the evidence comes out in its entirety, it’ll become clear he never attempted to cause physical harm to anyone,” said Jon Paul Rion, the attorney representing Hardin. “It’s unfortunate the allegations have been brought in this case and we’re prepared to defend him.”

The incidents were reported to have happened in Kettering and the charges are not related to his position at Fairborn schools.

Hardin had been placed on paid administrative leave by Fairborn City Schools following his arrest, said district spokeswoman Pam Gayheart.

Gayheart said Hardin is a staff member at Fairborn High School, however he’s also listed as the head football coach on the school’s athletic website.

Fairborn has started off the 2021 football season 0-1, losing to Tecumseh 41-14 in their only game played so far August 20. Fairborn is scheduled to play Xenia Friday, Sept. 3.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Fairborn started the season 2-0. The Skyhawks have in fact only played one game this season, a 41-14 loss to Tecumseh.

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