Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
Jennifer Walsh, a special education teacher at Sycamore High School, has been indicted on charges following an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student. According to reports, Walsh was indicted for sexual battery for an incident involving a student, according to Hillary Lake of WCPO. School superintendent Frank Forsthoefel says that the “inappropriate behavior” did not occur at the school.
The victim was a 17-year-old female student, according to reports.
Walsh, who was also a coach for the Junior Varsity girl’s lacrosse team and was a Division I lacrosse player at the University of Cincinnati, was placed on leave in September and has since resigned. The 26-year-old Walsh has officially been charged with two counts of sexual battery, according to documents from Hamilton County court that were obtained by the Cincinnati Enquirer.
University of Cincinnati Athletics
“Montgomery Police is investigating allegations that former teacher Jennifer Walsh engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student,” Forsthoefel told parents in a statement. “Investigators believe this was an isolated incident and that the alleged inappropriate behavior did not occur at school.”
The incidents occurred from May 2018 to August 2018, according to court documents.
“We find the reported allegations to be shocking, upsetting, and take them very seriously,” Forsthoefel said. “We are committed to fully working with the Montgomery Police Department in their investigation and to take appropriate action to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.”
Walsh posted $1,000 bond on Tuesday, October 30.
“We have strict policies against this type of alleged behavior that are clearly communicated to all staff,” Mallory Bonbright, chief public relations and communications officer, said in a press release. “We are committed to fully working with the Montgomery Police Department in their investigation and to take appropriate action to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.”
Walsh is just the latest teacher to be charged for inappropriate conduct. Over the course of just a few months, educators across the country were arrested for entering into an inappropriate relationship with their students, Tennessee teacher Janet Smothers, LaToya Parker, Florida teacher Caroline Lawson, 26-year-old Allyson Moran and Katherine Ross Ridenhour were all arrested on similar charges. A woman named Kayla Sprinkles was arrested in North Carolina for similar sexual crimes.
The list goes on to include 22-year-old Oklahoma science teacher Hunter Day, 28-year-old teacher Megan Kotarski, 23-year-old history teacher Michelle Schiffer, 29-year-old Alyssia Marie Reddy, special education teacher Jordan Ondish and 28-year-old Samantha Fitzpatrick have all been allegedly carrying on inappropriate relationships with their students.
34-year-old Miranda Nicole Pauley was charged with similar crimes, Nancy Leigh Ann Brann, a former Christian school teacher, was arrested for having sex with a student, Coine Audiat pleaded no contest to having sex with a minor in 2016 and 23-year-old Darci Lake was arrested for an inappropriate relationship. 27-year-old Brittany Zamora from Arizona was arrested on similar charges. Keri Hoffman, 35, was also arrested for an alleged relationship with a student. Similarly, 29-year-old Tiffany Ranweiler-Oblander and 33-year-old Maren Oates were arrested on similar charges.
More recently, 29-year-old Haylie Smart, 25-year-old Alaina Ferguson, and 32-year-old Laura Bucy were charged with similar crimes.