LIMA — A Shawnee High School teacher has been arrested on a charge of sexual battery for his alleged romantic involvement with a 14-year-old student at the school.
Kyle L. Baker, 27, of Elijah Parkway, Lima, was arrested Thursday by officers of the Shawnee Township Police Department.
According to a statement from Shawnee Police Sgt. Shane Hartman, authorities were notified Thursday of a possible relationship involving a teacher and a 14-year-old student at Shawnee High School. Because the school was on holiday break, a detective checked the suspect’s address for the vehicle of the teacher for a possible follow-up.
According to Hartman, shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday a parked vehicle was observed in the area of Elijah Parkway. After a few minutes Baker entered the vehicle and left rapidly. The detective followed the vehicle and observed the suspect pick up the student and head back toward his residence.
Baker’s vehicle was stopped in the 2200 block of state Route 501 and both Baker and the student were brought to the Shawnee Police Department and interviewed. Following the interviews, the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office authorized charges of sexual battery, a third-degree felony, and driving under suspension be filed against Baker.
He is scheduled to appear at 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 28 in Lima Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing on the matter.
Baker has been placed on paid administrative leave by Shawnee school officials for “unprofessional behavior,” but school officials are releasing few details about the allegations.
In a written statement Friday, Shawnee Superintendent Jim Kanable stated, “Shawnee Local Schools has placed high school teacher Kyle Baker on paid administrative leave as of Dec. 21. This action is necessary as the school district conducts a full investigation of unprofessional behavior.
“Because it is the policy of Shawnee Local Schools not to comment on situations that are open to investigation, further information will not be released at this time.
“While I cannot provide specific details at this time, I want to assure the Shawnee community and our parents that student safety remains a top priority,” Kanable’s statement concluded.
The superintendent said the district has been in full cooperation with local authorities and will continue to work with them.
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