UPDATE @ 2:03 p.m.:
Indian Lake Superintendent Patrick O’Donnell made his initial court appearance this afternoon in Bellefontaine Municipal Court.
His bond was set at $100,000 and a plea was not entered during today’s appearance.
A preliminary hearing has been set for June 26 at 5 p.m.
UPDATE @ 9:10 p.m.: The Indian Lake Local School board took quick action Monday in reaction to the child sex charge filed against Superintendent Patrick J. O'Donnell, voting tonight to put him on paid administrative leave and naming an interim superintendent.
The board has appointed Robert Underwood, Indian Lake High principal, as interim superintendent, school board President Gabe Wickline said in delivering a prepared statement.
Wickline said the board needs more time to properly dealing with the O’Donnell news, and so there was not enough time to make his leave unpaid.
Under the strictures of the leave, Wickline said, O’Donnell is not to be on school property during school hours and is barred from any school related functions in the district.
“The district has no prior reports of any inappropriate conduct involving Superintendent O’Donnell,” Wickline said. “The alleged misconduct involving Superintendent O’Donnell does not involve any student of the Indian Lake Local School District.”
Wickline declined further comment.
INITIAL REPORT
The Indian Lake Local Schools superintendent has been arrested on a charge of gross sexual imposition.
Patrick J. O’Donnell, 52, is accused of abusing a 13-year-old girl over the last three years, according to Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart.
The girl isn’t a student at any Indian Lake district school, Stewart said. He declined to divulge further details.
O’Donnell is to be arraigned Tuesday morning, according to court records.