A new proposed law in Ohio hopes to help prevent sexual misconduct and abuse by requiring schools to teach sexual abuse prevention.
Erin’s Law would teach students the difference between safe and unsafe touch, safe and unsafe secrets and empower them to speak up if something doesn’t feel right or is uncomfortable to tell somebody.
At least 10 teachers in the Miami Valley have been convicted of sex-related crimes since 2013, according to a News Center 7 I-Team investigation, leaving some area parents wondering why more isn’t being done to protect their children while they’re in school.
Those cases are why the woman behind Erin’s Law , Erin Merryn, is stressing that the bill needs to become a law in Ohio.
Here are five teacher misconduct cases in the Miami Valley:
The former Springboro physical education teacher is facing 36 counts of gross sexual imposition involving nearly 30 students, according to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.
Investigators and schools administrations spent more than 500 hours reviewing video involving John Austin Hopkins after claims of sexual misconduct surfaced in March.
Hopkins made his first court appearance in June, but is currently out on bond. He is on electronic monitoring is not allowed to have contact with minors.
Nearly two years after resigning from Centerville High School amid allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a student, the former English teacher was indicted on sexual battery.
Police initially closed the investigation in May 2017 without filing charges because the student declined to participate. However, new information that surfaced in January prompting detectives to reopen the case.
Glenn’s trial is scheduled to begin July 22.
Two protection orders were requested against the Greenon Local Schools teacher after he was accused of sexual misconduct students.
The former second grade teacher would have students sit on his lap, allow students to comb his hair and would brush students’ hair, according to a Clark County Prosecutor's Office investigation.
The prosecutor’s office described Yowler’s behavior as “inappropriate” and “disgusting,” but said they did not have enough evidence to charge him.
The former Franklin High School teacher was sentenced to four years in prison earlier this month for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with student.
Arnett was also ordered to register as a Tier III sex offender.
She had conversations with the student that were “sexual in nature” and had sex with him, according to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.
Arnett was convicted of sexual battery after she pleaded guilty to the charge in March.
The former Miamisubrg teacher was sentenced to a year in prison and ordered to register as a Tier III sex offender last May for reportedly having sex with a student.
The teen took the stand during the trial and told the jury that he and Langford had oral sex and intercourse for roughly 30 minutes in a locked classroom on the last day of school.
The jury found Langford guilty of six counts of sexual battery and unlawful conduct with a minor. She was released from prison in May.
News Center 7's I-Team looked into Erin's Law and spoke to the parents of some children involved in teacher misconduct cases. Tune in and learn more about what they think about the proposed bill Thursday, July 11, at 5:30 p.m.
