The Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office will not pursue criminal charges against a Symmes Valley teacher accused of hitting a student.

Wednesday, September 13, 2000

The Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office will not pursue criminal charges against a Symmes Valley teacher accused of hitting a student.

The student’s mother filed a complaint with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department alleging the male teacher struck her 17-year-old daughter at school, according to investigation reports.

The incident allegedly occurred last month, Collier said.

"We looked at the reports and followed it up with our own inquiry and felt it should not be pursued criminally," he said.

Also, the prosecutor’s office investigation followed inquiries by the sheriff’s department and school officials, Collier said.

There was no evidence or witnesses to substantiate criminal charges, so Collier declined to prosecute, he said.

That decision came last week.

"We suggested that if school officials thought it was something, they could handle it through administrative action," Collier said.

The prosecutor’s office reviews only a few such complaints each year, he added.