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ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (WJW) — A Rocky River principal placed on leave amid an investigation involving former students will not be facing a felony charge.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office has decided not to present the case of Kensington Intermediate School Principal Heath Horton to a grand jury, according to a Monday letter from Fallon Radigan, the office’s director of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, to Rocky River Law Director Michael O’Shea.
Prosecutors received from Rocky River police a 65-page police report, records extracted from Horton’s cell phone, screenshots from witnesses’ cell phones and written witness statements, but “based on the content received, the conduct committed does not rise to the level of a felony,” Radigan wrote. “However, that does not preclude a review by a municipal prosecutor for misdemeanor violations.
“We are returning this investigation to your agency and will revisit this matter if new information comes to light.”
Rocky River police in June confirmed they were investigating a complaint regarding Horton. Multiple former students claimed Horton provided them alcohol and cigars at his Elyria home on multiple occasions.
The police chief said the complaint came from the parent of a former Rocky River high school student.
In a message sent out to families, the superintendent said Horton was immediately placed on administrative leave and that the district was fully cooperating with police on the investigation.
The letter went on to say the district was dedicated to transparency and would share more information when it is available.
“The health safety and well-being of our students is our top priority,” the letter said.