A 75-year-old school custodian working for the second-largest district in Greater Cincinnati has been arrested and placed on unpaid leave as a criminal investigation unfolds.
Authorities booked Dennis Lahr into the Butler County Jail on Thursday on two counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, according to criminal complaints and jail records.
Lahr is employed at Hopewell Junior School on Cox Road in West Chester Township within the Lakota district, sheriff’s officials confirmed.
Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser said the charges do not involve any students.
“There is no allegation that his conduct that is being investigated involves any contact with any student at that educational facility,” Gmoser told FOX19 NOW early Friday evening.
According to the incident report, a witness saw Lahr viewing obscene images on a tablet, reported it to the sheriff’s office on April 14, and he then destroyed the device.
Authorities held Lahr in jail overnight without bond before he appeared in court Friday.
He has since posted his $10,000 bond and will be released once officials fit him with an electronic ankle monitor, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff’s officials say the investigation is ongoing and the case is expected to go before a Butler County grand jury next week.
Lakota Superintendent Ashley Whitely informed parents in a letter obtained by FOX19 NOW.
According to her letter, the district learned on Thursday, April 23, that the sheriff’s office was investigating allegations involving the Hopewell custodian and immediately placed him on paid leave.
“This individual did not work during our regular school hours and has minimal interaction with students,” she wrote.
“Upon learning that charges were filed yesterday, the individual was immediately suspended without pay.
“This individual and their alleged actions do not align in any way with the values or character of Lakota Local Schools. As this is a personnel matter and the complaints have been under investigation by law enforcement, we are not able to provide further information at this time.”
She emphasized twice in the letter that “the safety of our students is always our first priority.”
The district also “will fully investigate any accusation or threat that is brought to our attention.”
Leave a Reply