Husband, wife indicted by grand jury

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BELLEFONTAINE — A husband and wife who both serve as area superintendents have been indicted by the Logan County grand jury.

Heather M. O’Donnell, 46, who serves as the superintendent for the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center, and her husband, Patrick O’Donnell, 52, Indian Lake Schools superintendent, were indicted Tuesday. Patrick O’Donnell has been on unpaid leave by the Indian Lake Schools Board of Education since June 29.

According to the Logan County Common Pleas Court website, Patrick O’Donnell, of Lewistown, has been indicted on 14 charges: four counts of rape, all first degree felonies, four counts of sexual battery, all second degree felonies, and six counts of gross sexual imposition, all third degree felony.

He was first arrested on June 19 following an investigation by the Washington Township Police Department. He was charged with gross sexual imposition when he was accused of abusing a 13-year-old girl since 2013. The girl resides in Logan County but is not a student at Indian Lake Schools.

After appearing in Bellefontaine Municipal Court, Patrick O’Donnell had requested a preliminary hearing. After reviewing the case, Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart dismissed the charge and stated he would be presenting the case to the grand jury on July 11.

“We chose not to do a preliminary hearing (which O’Donnell had requested),” said Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart at the time the charge was dismissed. “We will be taking the case to the grand jury.”

Stewart said its standard procedure not to hold preliminary hearings in sex abuse cases.

The victim’s family has a civil protection order against Patrick O’Donnell.

Heather O’Donnell, of Lewistown, has been indicted on two counts of endangering children, both third-degree felonies.

An email sent to the treasurer for the Midwest Regional Service Center asking about Heather O’Donnell’s status with the service center was not answered at press time.

Patrick O’Donnell will appear in court on July 14 at 9 a.m.

Patrick O’Donnell has been with the Indian Lake School District since 2010. He had been employed by Sidney City Schools for 20 years. He had been the district’s superintendent, principal at Northwood Elementary School and a teacher.

P. O’Donnell
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/07/web1_ODonnelPat.jpgP. O’Donnell

H. O’Donnell
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/07/web1_OdonnellHeather.jpgH. O’Donnell

By Melanie Speicher

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4822.

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