CINCINNATI — Court documents reveal that the assistant principal at Aiken New Tech High School is charged with sexual battery of a student.
According to a Cincinnati police criminal complaint, investigators allege 43-year-old Steven Barton engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with a 16-year-old student.
Police say the allegation is based on the student’s detailed statement, which investigators say was corroborated by school surveillance video and Barton’s statements.
Because Barton is a school administrator and the alleged victim is a student at the school, the charge was elevated to felony sexual battery under Ohio law.
WATCH: Aiken Tech assistant principal charged with felony sexual battery of a student
According to court records, Barton allegedly touched the student with his exposed hand for "several minutes."
Cincinnati Public Schools released the following statement regarding the incident:
Cincinnati Public Schools is deeply concerned by the allegations involving an Aiken New Tech High School assistant principal and a student.
When school administrators learned of the allegation, they immediately contacted Cincinnati Police. The employee has been removed from duty and will have no contact with students while the criminal and District investigations are underway.
CPS is cooperating fully with law enforcement. Our immediate concern is the student’s well-being and privacy. Because this involves a student and an active criminal investigation, we cannot provide additional details.
Barton waived his right to appear in court Friday. Cincinnati police are releasing his mugshot because investigators say there could be more victims.
Rebecca Bell, a parent of an Aiken student, said she learned about the arrest Friday morning while watching the news.
"I was heartbroken, because Dr. Barton is a good teacher, a good instructor, good staff at Aiken High School. He has helped me out a lot with my son throughout the years. It's just different. It really hit my heart this morning for Aiken High School," Bell said.
Bell described how Barton had gone out of his way to help her family navigate the school.
"Any questions that you would need to ask, tours around the school, maybe contacting other staff that's unavailable, he would go out of his way and, you know, try to be the middle person to find that connection so you can get questions answered if needed," Bell said.
Bell said her primary concern now is the safety of all students and staff.
"I just pray for the whole Aiken Community School; hopefully that something like this never happens again. All students and staff are safe and can feel safe because this is a place of learning, and they have to come here. It's just different," Bell said.
She said the arrest has shaken her trust but has not changed her view of the school.
"It is broken a little bit. I just hope that it gets handled, but in a positive way, and no outbursts or any interruptions in the school setting, because the students still have to learn, and those staff still have to be there," Bell said.
Barton's attorney asked the judge to consider the charge level when setting bond.
"He does have a lot of family resources here, Judge. This is a felony fourth degree. We want the court to take that level into consideration and set bond today. We would ask for OR with EMD," the attorney said.
That request was denied. Police say the investigation is still in its early stages. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cincinnati Police.
Barton has since been released from the Hamilton County Justice Center after posting a $75,000 bond.
