SWL addresses sexual accusations against school aide

PATASKALA - Southwest Licking Local Schools officials say it does not appear a part-time substitute aide accused of having sexual conduct with a minor engaged in the conduct at one of the district's schools.

Superintendent Robert Jennell revealed the information Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the Licking County Sheriff's Office arrested Michelle Moore, 37, of Pataskala, who is accused of having sexual conduct with a minor.

The sheriff's office reported, in a news release, that the victim, a 14-year-old boy, told detectives he and Moore had engaged in multiple sexual encounters between October 2015 and January 2016 in several locations throughout the county.

At a bond hearing Wednesday, Magistrate Mattie Klein set Moore's bond at $75,000. Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Reamer said there may be additional charges brought against Moore. Moore's bond was posted Wednesday afternoon.

According to court records, the juvenile victim was acquainted with Moore's children. Reamer said there is no indication the victim's parents knew of the sexual encounters.

Jennell said the encounters did not appear to have taken place at a school. Court records do not indicate any of the encounters happened at a school.

"Newspapers and TV said the relationship occurred at multiple places in Licking County, and from our understanding nothing happened at the school or the result of her position at the school," Jennell said.

Jennell added he learned of the accusations and the resulting arrest for the first time Tuesday afternoon.

He initially balked at commenting on them, he said, because he first wanted to talk to the sheriff's office and Licking County Prosecutor's Office to ensure his comments would not damage their ongoing case.

On Wednesday, Jennell confirmed Moore was a part-time employee who worked for the district.

Woman accused of sexual conduct with minor

Southwest Licking hired her in September 2014 as a substitute aide, a substitute library aide, a substitute secretary and a substitute study hall monitor. She received a one-year contract for as-needed work.

In June 2015, the district gave her another one-year contract, this time as a substitute aide, a substitute library aide and a substitute study hall monitor.

Before hiring Moore, Jennell said she had to undergo a criminal background check, which included fingerprinting. All employees, in addition to school volunteers, undergo the check, Jennell said.

"I think that might have been one of the biggest concerns of the parents: We did not employ this person knowing there was an investigation going on," said Jennell, adding, Moore had "not been in any trouble" or "had any issues" during her time at Southwest Licking.

Upon learning of the arrest, Jennell said he quickly reached out to each of his school buildings to learn whether anyone had been aware of the ongoing investigation.

"My question was: 'Did any of my administrative team know this was happening?' " he said. "The answer was, 'No.' We were not part of any investigation. We're not covering up anything."

Moving forward, Jennell said Moore no longer will be working at Southwest Licking.

"When we found out (about) the investigation, the first thing I did was make sure she was not in one of our buildings tomorrow," Jennell said. "We'll allow the police investigation to take place, and as a school district we will not offer her any additional substitute positions."

As a part-time substitute employee, Moore "filled in multiple places" during her time at Southwest Licking, Jennell said.

"She wasn't assigned to one classroom. She was assigned to where the need was."