Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — A Butler County judge set bond this morning, Jan. 12, for the man accused of kidnapping and raping a 16-year-old girl last week.

Butler County Area II Court Judge Fred Miller set bond for Steven M. Toy, 41, at $1 million, or $500,000 for each charge.

The bond was initially set at $400,000, or $200,000 on each charge, but was later changed.

Toy, of West Chester Twp., is facing rape and kidnapping charges after police said he bound the Colerain Twp. teen and sexually assaulted her in the cab of his semi truck Jan. 9.

The girl was able to escape the truck, which was parked off of Highland Point Drive in West Chester Twp. She ran to a nearby daycare center about 100 yards away, when employees there contacted police at approximately 10:40 a.m., Jan. 9. Police said Toy was not present when the girl jumped out of the truck, which was registered to a Cincinnati-based company called Thug Transport.

West Chester Police found Toy at a home on Cindy Lou Court later that afternoon. Toy, who appeared today via video for his 10 a.m. arraignment, told the judge this morning he has lived in Fairfield for the past eight years.

Throughout the preceding, Toy kept his head down because he said he had recently been roused from sleep, "and still have sleep in my eyes and all that good stuff."

"I didn't have time to get myself together," Toy told Miller.

Toy added he wasn't trying to disrespect the court, and continued with his head down.

Toy, who requested the court appoint him an attorney, also said he was surprised to hear his bond was so high because it was initially was set at $40,000, or $20,000 on each charge.

Miller said he took into account the severity of the charges and the potential jail time in order to set Toy's bond.

Should the suspect be released from the Butler County Jail, Miller told him he would be equipped with an electronic monitoring device and to avoid all contact with the victim.

Toy said he works as a dispatcher for Thug Transport, and that he doesn't drive.

Toy's wife, Kimberly, was also arrested Jan. 9 and charged with obstruction of justice after police said she lied to them about her husband's whereabouts.

Police later obtained a search warrant and found Steven Toy hiding in his home.

Toy is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, in Area III Court in West Chester Twp.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2112 or dgreber@coxohio.com.