When a case of sexual-assault is under investigation within an American school district, members of that school district are typically advised to remain quiet, because one of their own is being investigated. However, such an investigation can expand to others within the working environment as well.

Because I am not the one being investigated for alleged sexual assault against a minor, nor am I an employee of Talawanda City School District in Oxford, Ohio, I do not need to remain silent. I also am not compromising any investigation, nor am I stating anything that is not known to those who can obtain this public information. There are also many questions here regarding the involvement or knowledge of other Talawanda employees, the Oxford Police Department, and their roles in this matter.

In this article, I am simply making statements of fact that I am aware of, because the public has a right to know and I have been in direct communication with the parent of the child involved in this matter. I have the permission of this parent to discuss this publicly.

While others may gossip or expose themselves as being ignorant or “abuse-apologists” (without having any of the facts at hand) which has clearly happened, I only care about the facts. So, lets revisit some facts and share some new ones. Let’s ask some questions. Let’s also provide some free professional development.

Question: If a child in Ohio speaks out in a family therapy session in Ohio about sexual abuse from their school principal in Ohio, how long should it take the therapist to contact CPS, law enforcement or the school district itself to have the principal removed and investigated?

Answer: In Ohio, therapists are mandated reporters under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 2151.421. If a child discloses sexual abuse by their school principal during a family therapy session, the therapist is legally required to immediately report the suspicion of abuse to the county public children services agency (PCSA)/(CPS) or a peace officer in the county where the child resides or where the abuse occurred. The term "immediately" is emphasized in the law, meaning the report should be made as soon as possible, typically within hours of the disclosure, and not delayed for further investigation or confirmation by the therapist.

Key Points on Timing and Process:

1. Reporting Timeline:

   The therapist must report immediately upon forming a reasonable suspicion of abuse, based on the child’s disclosure. Ohio law does not allow mandated reporters to delay reporting to gather more evidence or conduct their own investigation, as this could interfere with a formal investigation.

2. The report is typically made by telephone to the PCSA (e.g., through the Ohio child abuse hotline at 855-OH-CHILD or a local county hotline) or to local law enforcement. A written report may be requested afterward but is not required to initiate the process.

Actions by CPS and Law Enforcement:

1. Once the PCSA receives the report, they are required to begin an investigation within 24 hours to assess the allegations, determine the child’s safety, and identify the responsible parties. The investigation is conducted in collaboration with law enforcement, especially for allegations of sexual abuse, which may involve a children’s advocacy center.

2. Law enforcement may also initiate a criminal investigation concurrently, focusing on whether the principal’s actions constitute a crime (e.g., under ORC Chapter 2907 for sexual offenses).

Notifying the School:

The therapist is not required to directly contact the school or inform them of the allegations, as this could compromise the investigation or the child’s safety. The PCSA (CPS) or law enforcement typically handles notifications to the school or other relevant parties as part of their investigation.

The school, upon being informed by authorities, may take administrative actions (e.g., placing the principal on leave or removing them) based on their policies and the severity of the allegations, but this is not the therapist’s responsibility.

Investigation and Removal of the Principal:

1. The timeline for the principal’s removal depends on the school district’s policies, the evidence gathered, and the legal process. If the PCSA/(CPS) or law enforcement deems the principal an immediate threat, they may recommend or enforce temporary removal from the school environment during the investigation. This could happen within days, but no specific timeline is mandated for administrative actions like suspension.

2. The investigation itself may take 45 to 60 days for the PCSA/(CPS) to reach a final disposition (e.g., substantiated, indicated, or unsubstantiated abuse), though urgent actions to protect the child are prioritized sooner.

3. If criminal charges are pursued, law enforcement and prosecutors will determine the timeline for arrests or indictments, which varies case by case.

Confidentiality and Immunity:

1. The therapist’s report is confidential, and their identity is protected unless a court orders disclosure (e.g., if they are called as a witness).

2. Therapists reporting in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability, but failure to report is a misdemeanor and could jeopardize their professional license.

Practical Steps for the Therapist:

Make the Report: Call the local PCSA (CPS) (e.g., Butler County 513-887-4055) or law enforcement immediately after the session, providing factual details of the disclosure without speculating or investigating further.

• Avoid Notifying the School Directly: Allow the PCSA (CPS) or law enforcement to handle communications with the school to ensure the investigation is not compromised.

• Support the Child: Listen attentively to the child, avoid leading questions, and reassure them that the abuse is not their fault, but do not promise confidentiality, as the disclosure must be reported.

• Document the Disclosure: Keep a factual record of what the child said and the actions taken (e.g., time of the report and agency contacted) for professional and legal purposes, but do not share this with unauthorized parties.

• If the child’s safety is at immediate risk (e.g., the principal has ongoing access to the child), the therapist should call 911 to ensure prompt intervention.

• Ohio law prioritizes child safety, and allegations of sexual abuse by a school principal are treated with high urgency due to the position of authority and access to children. The PCSA (CPS) may refer the case to a children’s advocacy center for a forensic interview to minimize trauma to the child.

The above legal description is what was supposed to take place.

Below, is apparently what has happened.

Before or after Spring Break of 2024, this school-aged child’s mother began to witness behavior in her son that was abnormal. In a family-therapy session in July of 2024, her son began to describe apparent and improper actions by Jason Merz, the Kramer Elementary School Principal of the Talawanda City School District in Oxford, Ohio. This child’s telling of this story was witnessed by at least one therapist associated with Butler Behavioral Health. Soon after, an alleged report was going to be made by Butler Behavioral Health and sent to Child Protective Services in Butler County, Ohio. This communication to a CPS screener, apparently occurred in the month of September 2024 on 9/19/24, as seen below.

Earlier, in July of 2024, Bogan Elementary School Principal Molly Merz resigned her position. Molly Merz is apparently the wife of Jason Merz. Her resignation story was published by the Oxford Free Press HERE. Why did Molly Merz resign?

In August of 2024, the parent of the child in question, entered the Talawanda District office to fill out a request form for a ‘change of school’ for her son. This form apparently has a section where a parent is to write down the reason(s) for the request. According to this parent, they wrote down that they had a ‘safety concern’ with Kramer Elementary, and that the other elementary school (Marshall Elementary) was closer to her place of employment and would be more convenient.

Having spoken to the parent myself, they assured me that they did in fact write down that they had a ‘safety concern’ as one of the reasons for the request to change schools, but they did not specify on the form what the safety concern was. Shortly after, she received a letter in her mail from Superintendent Edward Theroux denying her request. See below:

Superintendent Edward Theroux apparently denied knowing about the ‘change of school request’ in this email below on 5/2/25 (assuming he’s referring to the parent’s request to change schools), yet he acknowledged his knowing of the parental request in his denial-letter above on 9/14/24. Does that mean that Superintendent Edward Theroux is lying about knowing about the ‘change of school form’ filled out by the parent?

At no point was the parent contacted by Superintendent Edward Theroux, or any other Talawanda staff member, asking her what her safety concern was. No one inside to the Talawanda District administrative office who saw this written form, asked the parent what her safety concern was.

In my opinion, this should have been the first administrative action from Superintendent Edward Theroux, or at the very least from anyone in the district administrative office who may have read this request form. (This ‘request to change schools form’ has been requested to be delivered through an open-records request as well). The Talawanda School District should have a copy of all ‘request to change schools’ forms, certainly from over a year ago, as these should be kept, and electronic copies should be made.

Soon after, in October of 2024, the Talawanda City School District’s School Psychologist, David Anabelle, who was based inside Kramer Elementary School as well, resigned from his position. He apparently wrote the following to staff members before leaving:

This is an odd time for a school employee to resign, unless they had a reason they did not want to disclose, other than gainful employment elsewhere. What does David Anabelle know, if anything?

In December of 2024, as stated in the previous article HERE, this mother went to Kramer Elementary school to meet with Principal Jason Merz at his request, due to her son giving the middle finger to other students. Within this meeting, the parent indicated that she was angry, and the topic of discussion changed. She stated that she told Principal Jason Merz; “I know what you know” and “I know what you did to my kid.” At which point Principal Jason Merz called the police and the parent was cited at her home approximately 45 minuets later for criminal mischief.

The Oxford Police Officer indicated in his own report and statement that he took from Principal Jason Merz, that the mother stated; “I know what you know,” and to ‘not talk to her son, look at her son, or deal with her son, related to discipline.’ Yet, at no point, did the Oxford Police Officer indicate in the report that he ever asked Principal Jason Merz what the mother meant by that statement, nor did the police officer ask the mother what she meant by that statement and the following statements about making sure that Principal Jason Merz stayed away from her child.

Why did the Oxford Police Officer fail to inquire about what was meant by; “I know what you know” and to ‘not talk to her son, look at her son, or deal with her son, related to discipline?’ It would make sense in this scenario for Principal Jason Merz to not tell the truth given the severity of the accusation, but why would the Oxford Police Officer not ask for clarification, even once, from any of the parties involved?

I fully understand that people might criticize the parent and say; “Why didn’t they just tell the police officer what had occurred with her son?” Sadly, in this situation, this was the only place she could send her child for school, as she was denied the ability to change schools within the district by Superintendent Edward Theroux in August of 2024. Even Superintendent Edward Theroux didn’t ask what the safety concern was in regards to when the ‘change of school’ was requested by the parent, while also writing his denial letter to her.

Even as Superintendent Edward Theroux wrote a “no trespass” letter to the parent on December 4th, 2024, indicating that they are to never talk to any Talawanda School employee without his permission or Principal Jason Merz’s permission first, and even after allegedly reading the Oxford Police report himself, at no point did Superintendent Edward Theroux ask the parent what was meant by the parent when they told Principal Merz; “I know what you know” and to ‘not talk to her son, look at her son, or deal with her son, related to discipline.’

Instead, Superintendent Edward Theroux’s response was to silence all communication from the parent toward anyone within the school district (including their child’s teacher), except for communicating with himself as the Superintendent and Principal Jason Merz.

This seems unprecedented.

During this time, the parent was also under the impression that CPS was already involved, as stated in the Butler Behavioral Report above. Or, that CPS contacted the Oxford Police Department and the Oxford Police Department failed to act. Or, that the Oxford Police Department then contacted the Talawanda City School District administration and they failed to act.

Once CPS receives a complaint, they have two options. First, if CPS had decided to investigate themselves within their own Special Investigative Unit (SIU), once hearing of this incident from Butler Behavioral Health, their policy is to contact the parent of the minor for more information. That did not happen because the parent was never notified. The second option for CPS, given the severity of the allegation, is to directly contact the police department closest to the alleged victim and make a report to them. Therefore, given that the parent was never contacted based on the first option, this would indicate that CPS had to have contacted the Oxford Police Department about this incident.

What does the Talawanda City School District administration and the Oxford Police Department know, and when did they know it?

At no point did CPS, the Oxford Police Department, the Kramer Elementary Resource Officer (SRO) Shelly Sikora, nor Talawanda School District contact the parent and tell them that there was an investigation underway regarding Principal Jason Merz and his alleged treatment of her son, based on the initial Butler Behavioral Health’s referral to CPS back in September of 2024 (9/19/24). All lines of communication were closed off to the parent, as they were not being notified of any investigative advancement of this allegation. This was because there was no investigation of Principal Jason Merz taking place at the time.

What did Molly Merz, former Boagan Elementary School Principal know or not know? What did former Kramer Elementary School and district school-psychologist David Anabelle know or not know? What did Superintendent Edward Theroux know or not know? What did other Talawanda employees know or not know? What did the Student Services Director Stephanie Aerni know or not know? What did Talawanda Communications Director Holli Hansel know or not know? What did the Talawanda Teachers Union Co-Presidents know or not know? What did Talawanda school-board members know or not know? What did SRO Shelly Sikora know or not know? What did the Oxford Police Department know or not know?

As stated in the previous article HERE, a police report was filed by the parent regarding this alleged sexual abuse by Principal Jason Merz on 4/30/25. The parent themselves sent an email to the Talawanda City School District school-board members on 5/1/25, generally detailing the occurrence of alleged abuse by Principal Jason Merz toward the mother’s son within Kramer Elementary School.

There is no way that this would have been the first time that the Oxford Police Department would have heard about this. Legally, the Oxford Police Department would have heard about this directly from CPS back in September of 2024 (9/19/24). Yet, Kramer Elementary Principal Jason Merz remained on the job for seven months after CPS was contacted by Butler Behavioral Health on (9/19/24).

After the mother filed a police report with Oxford Police Department directly on 4/30/25, the parent and the child visited a social worker/forensic interviewer at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (the week of May 5, 2025), and her son was formally interviewed for this investigation for approximately one hour.

The child’s story has not changed. Not once.

The interviewer apparently indicated to the mother that after talking with her son privately, they believe her son’s story. Now, an Oxford Police Officer has been assigned to the investigation.

Again, this incident was first documented by Butler Behavioral Health in July of 2024. Butler Behavioral Health formally indicated that they contacted CPS on (9/19/24) in a 9/27/24 document (above).

When did the Oxford Police Department first hear from CPS on this issue? Based on the law, it should have been the same day that CPS was notified by Butler Behavioral Health on September 19, 2024.

Who at the Oxford Police Department took the call from CPS regarding Principal Jason Merz? Who did that Oxford Police employee talk to at the department itself? Which employees at the Talawanda School District did the Oxford Police talk to about Principal Jason Merz, if any?

Clearly, Ohio laws for reporting child abuse were broken in this case. Seven months passed before a social worker/forensic interviewer became involved, and that only occurred after a police report was filed by the parent herself with the Oxford Police Department on 4/30/25.

In Ohio, child sexual abuse falls under the broader category of child abuse and neglect, governed primarily by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 2151.421.

Here are the key provisions:

1. Mandatory Reporters:

• Who Must Report: Ohio law designates specific professionals as mandatory reporters, including:

  • Healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists, etc.).

  • School employees (teachers, administrators, school psychologists).

  • Social workers, counselors, and therapists.

  • Childcare workers and administrators of daycare centers, residential camps, or child day camps.

  • Attorneys, clergy (with exceptions for privileged communications), and peace officers (police officers).

  • Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child under 18 (or under 21 with a developmental disability or physical impairment) has suffered or faces a threat of abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, must report.

• Clergy Exception: Clergy are not required to report information received in a confidential cleric-penitent relationship if it is protected under ORC 2317.02(C).

2. What Must Be Reported:

• Definition of Child Sexual Abuse: Ohio defines child sexual abuse as any conduct that constitutes a criminal offense under Chapter 2907 of the ORC (e.g., rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition) when the victim is under 18 or under 21 with a developmental disability or physical impairment. The court does not need to find a conviction for the conduct to qualify as abuse.

• Reportable Conditions: Mandated reporters must report if they have reasonable cause to suspect:

  A child is the victim of sexual activity as defined under ORC Chapter 2907.

• The child exhibits evidence of physical or mental injury inconsistent with the provided explanation.

• The child faces a threat of harm due to the actions of a parent, guardian, or custodian.

3. Reporting Process:

Where to Report: Reports must be made immediately to:

• The county Public Children Services Agency (PCSA) or a peace officer in the county where the child resides or where the abuse occurred.

• In emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, contact the PCSA or local law enforcement (e.g., Franklin County: 614-229-7000; statewide: 855-OH-CHILD).

How to Report: Reports can be made by phone or in person and must be followed by a written report if requested by the receiving agency.

• Content of Report: Include the child’s name, address, and details of the suspected abuse. Proof is not required; reasonable suspicion is sufficient.

4. Penalties for Failure to Report:

Criminal Penalties:

• Failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect is a fourth-degree misdemeanor (up to 30 days in jail and/or a $250 fine).

• If the reporter is a supervisor over the abuser, it is a first-degree misdemeanor (up to 180 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine).

• Civil Liability: A person who fails to report may be liable for compensatory and exemplary damages to the child who would have been the subject of the report.

• Professional Consequences: Licensed professionals (e.g., teachers, doctors) risk losing their licenses for failing to report.

5. Immunity for Reporters:

• Reporters acting in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability, even if the report is unfounded, provided no false information was intentionally provided.

• Reports are confidential, and the reporter’s identity is protected, except in specific legal proceedings

6. Additional Ohio Provisions:

• Children’s Advocacy Centers: In counties with a children’s advocacy center, reports of sexual abuse must follow the center’s protocols for referrals and investigations.

• Statute of Limitations:

  • Criminal Cases: Prosecutors have 12 years after the victim reaches 18 (age 30) to pursue charges, extended by 5 years if DNA evidence is identified within 25 years.

  • Civil Cases: Victims have 12 years from the age of majority (age 30) to file lawsuits for assault or battery based on childhood sexual abuse.

• Sex Offender Registration: Convicted offenders must register under ORC Chapter 3797, with restrictions such as not residing within 1,000 feet of school premises. Failure to comply is a felony.

7. Jurisdiction:

Schools are required to address sexual harassment within their "education program or activity," which includes locations, events, or circumstances where the school exercises substantial control (34 CFR § 106.44). If the alleged misconduct occurred in this context, the investigation typically continues, even if the employee resigns, to:

• Determine the facts of the case.

• Ensure a safe environment for students and staff.

• Assess whether the school needs to take remedial actions (e.g., policy changes, training, or remedies for the complainant).

8. Why Investigations May Continue:

• Ongoing Risk: If the former employee could return (e.g., as a volunteer, contractor, or in another role), the school may investigate to assess risk and implement preventive measures.

• Complainant’s Rights: The complainant is entitled to remedies, such as academic or emotional support, which may require fact-finding to justify.

• Institutional Accountability: Schools may complete investigations to avoid liability, demonstrate compliance with Title IX, or address community concerns.

• External Oversight: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) can investigate schools for failing to adequately address sexual harassment, even if the respondent leaves.

Parents have the right to file lawsuits at the conclusion of any case, against any and all guilty parties, including their police department and local school districts.

An outside Title IX investigation will now be taking place, as one has been formally requested by the parent to the Talawanda School District. I am aware of who these individuals are and they will be receiving more information to possibly assist in their investigation.

There are too many conflicts of interest given the districts involvement and their apparent inability to ask appropriate questions when they have had ample opportunities to do so from the start, not just in this case but in numerous past cases. Talawanda School District cannot investigate themselves. If the Oxford Police Department was involved in any cover-up or negligence in this matter, perhaps any objective investigation can’t ethically take place by them either.

Furthermore, the parent detailed the following in a formal written communication to the Talawanda School District on Wednesday May 14, 2025, in their request for an outside Title IX investigation and decision-making process to take place:

“(My Son) was in the cafeteria restroom during his “specials” (extra-curricular class) when Mr. Jason Merz (Kramer Elementary Principal) entered the same bathroom that my son has just entered. My son was in the bathroom in the stall and Jason Merz ripped open the door into the stall my son was in. There were approximately two stalls in the bathroom. Once my son was inside the stall, Jason Merz ripped open the door from the outside and told my son “Let me play with you.” My son said, “NO,” and then Jason Merz yelled, “I SAID NOW!” Jason Merz then began to rub my son’s pants over my son’s penis. Jason Merz then unzipped his own pants and lowered them a little, and began to play with his own gentiles, as his genitals were partially out of his own pants. My son witnessed this. My son attempted to leave under the bathroom stall and Jason Merz blocked him from leaving by moving his leg in the way to keep my son in the stall. My son heard a lunch lady walking by and Jason Merz said; “You better not tell anyone, now go wash your hands and get out of here!” This is when my son escaped, and Jason Merz also left.”

As stated earlier, Title IX investigations do not end with the resignation of a school employee who is in question. Title IX investigations can extend to any and all other employees or parties who knew about, or are suspected of knowing about child abuse, including those who engaged in the acts themselves, or any police officers, school employees, or school-board members who failed to report the abuse. Title IX investigations and criminal investigations are separate, but can occur simultaneously. This is the case in this matter as both are taking place.

All Kramer Elementary School employees (past and present) should be interviewed by the Oxford Police Department’s investigative team and outside Title IX investigators. Talawanda school-board members should also be questioned, along with Superintendent Edward Theroux. Perhaps Internal Affairs should investigate the Oxford Police Department regarding their handling of this matter.

As stated at the beginning;

The term “immediately” is emphasized in the law, meaning the report should be made as soon as possible, typically within hours of the disclosure and not delayed…

Over seven months passing by is not the legal definition of “immediately.”

It has also been expressed to Talawanda administrative officials, specifically H.R. Director Mike Malone (who is also set to resign his position and take a new position with another local school district this summer) and Student Services Director Stephanie Aerni, that there are more child victims. This was expressed to these two Talawanda officials in their meeting with the parent and an advocate of theirs (on 5/14/25), while also stating to them that other victims are afraid to come forward due to the threat of retaliation by Talawanda School District officials.

All potential victims (parents/guardians, family members, Talawanda employees and students) are strongly encouraged to come forward immediately and file police reports with the Oxford Police Department (513-524-5240). They should also contact Child Protective Services and give them the specifics over the phone and in writing (513-636-4200). They should also contact the Butler County Sheriff’s Office at (513-785-1000). You can also dial (911) at any time. All victims are also encouraged to contact the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office at (513-887-3474). The above contacts should be reached multiple times if a satisfactory response is not obtained.

Any school employee failing to report suspected abuse to law enforcement, is an offense that can cost one their employment and licensure. Any party who fails to report suspected or known abuse (including law enforcement themselves), is breaking the law. Any failure to come forward and report known or suspected abuse among co-workers will only perpetuate the problem.

To be continued.

BIO: Dr. Sean M. Brooks is the host of the podcast American Education FM and the author of several books including; The Unmasking of American Schools: The Sanctioned Abuse of Americas Teachers and Students. He’s also on Gab, X, Truth, Bitchute, Rumble and everywhere audio podcasts can be heard.

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