03-05-2025
School admin fired, charged with endangering children
ST. PARIS, Ohio (WDTN) — A St. Paris school administrator has been terminated and charged after allegedly choking a 13-year-old student.
A Champaign County Grand Jury charged Emilio Valdez with strangulation and endangering children this week.
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According to the Champaign County Sheriff's Office, Valdez assaulted and strangled a student back in February while working at Operation Rebirth, a private Christian academy for boys.
The school says they placed Valdez on leave when they learned about the incident. School officials later terminated Valdez on March 31 after an internal review.
Officials say another student has also come forward with allegations, with an additional investigation now underway.
Valdez's spouse, who also worked at the school, is also said to have voluntarily resigned.
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