BREAKING: Fairfield police decline to file charges against substitute teacher

No criminal charges will be filed against a male Fairfield substitute teacher accused of touching a male student inappropriately, police said.

But Fairfield Schools officials will continue its investigation in the matter “because there is a difference between criminal activity and inappropriate activity,” said Fairfield Schools spokeswoman Gina Gentry-Fletcher.

Fairfield police began investigating the incident on Wednesday after a Creekside Middle School student “reported a concern,” according to Fairfield Schools.

Fairfield police Officer Doug Day said the results of the criminal investigation will be provided to the Fairfield City School District for its review.

The incident happened exactly one year after substitute teacher Tracey Abraham was arrested and charged with public indecency, a first-degree misdemeanor, after he admitted to “fondling himself” on the outside of his pants in a Creekside Middle School classroom on Jan. 8, 2019.

READ MORE: Review shows substitute teacher arrest for ‘fondling himself’ in classroom

Abraham later pleaded guilty to public indecency and was sentenced to 180 days in jail, and the judge suspended all 180 days, ordering him to five years probation.

The district has received several questions about substitute teacher requirements and qualifications, Gentry-Fletcher said.

Substitute teachers are hired through a consortium with the Southwest Ohio Council of Governments. All Southwest Ohio Council of Governments-certified substitute teachers undergo FBI and BCI background checks when applying for the position.

They are then submitted to an FBI background screening every five years thereafter. Eligible substitute teachers must also have a valid teaching credential issued by the Ohio Department of Education.

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