CCSD: Canton Coach on Leave, Solicitation of Underage Student Alleged

CANTON, Ohio (News Talk 1480 WHBC) – An unnamed assistant cross country coach with the Canton City School District is on administrative leave after the district says a YouTube video was seen of the coach allegedly soliciting an underage student.

Canton Police tell WHBC News that it was an adult pretending to be a 15 year old student. The person luring in the coach was not a law enforcement employee.

A release from Superintendent Dr Jeffrey Graham says the district is cooperating with Canton police in the investigation. They say they learned of the video early Sunday morning.

Here’s the release from the school district:

Early Sunday morning district authorities were notified of a YouTube video circulating on the internet allegedly implicating one of its assistant coaches soliciting an underage student. The Canton City Schools District takes any and all allegations regarding the safety of its students seriously, and is cooperating fully with local police to assist in their investigations to the fullest extent. The individual was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.

The Canton City Schools will be providing counselors to offer support to students for as long as they are in need. Information that may help the investigation should be reported directly to the Canton Police Department at (330) 649-5800.

Dr. Jeffrey Graham, Superintendent
Canton City School District
(330) 430-4241

Lieutenant Dennis Garren with the Canton Police Department tells WHBC News that no charges have been filed yet, and that none may be ever filed against the suspect. Garren also made a point to say that law enforcement officers do not encourage the public to attempt to catch potential predators.