Payton Shires, 24, accused of having a relationship with a 13-year-old boy she was counseling
Payton Shires, 24, is accused of having an affair with a 13-year-old boy she was counseling
- Payton Shires, 24, of Mount Sterling, Ohio, has been charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor after footage of them having sex was found
- She allegedly admitted to having sex with the 13-year-old boy on several occasions during a three-way phone call with his mother and Columbus police.
A 24-year-old school counselor has allegedly admitted to having sex with a 13-year-old boy after she ‘broke down’ during a three-way phone call with police and his mother.
Ohio investigators uncovered a disturbing video of Payton Shires having sex with the young boy after a report by his concerned parent in September.
Columbus police officers charged Shires, of Mount Sterling, Ohio, with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. ABC6.
The boy’s mother became suspicious of predatory behavior in Shires when she noticed messages between the licensed counselor and her son on his phone. The teenager was getting advice from the 24-year-old.
Charging documents show the mother contacted police on September 27 after seeing a message from Shires asking her son if he had ‘deleted the videos’ – and if anyone had seen them.
Columbus police officers have charged Payton Shires (pictured), of Mount Sterling, Ohio, with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Investigators took the boy’s phone and found disturbing footage of Shires having sex with the 13-year-old in her care.
The boy told detectives they had sex at least twice at different locations in Columbus.
Police conducted a three-way phone call between the mother, detectives and Shires, where the social worker reportedly admitted to the sexual intercourse.
Shires was taken into custody and police said more charges could be filed against her in the coming days.
Police have released a photo of Shire, who is white with blue eyes and dyed blonde hair.
State records show her counseling license was issued June 12, 2023, and she worked for the National Youth Advocate Program.
The program, which supports families in the foster care system or in need of protection, would not disclose why she stopped working for them, citing confidentiality and the ongoing police case.
“Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.” program representatives said in a statement.
The National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) is saddened by the situation involving one of our former employees and a young person served by our organization.
“NYAP has reported the situation to Franklin County Children’s Services (FCCS) and is cooperating with them and the Columbus Police Department on this case.”
Shires, who is being held at the Franklin County Correctional Center, appeared in court Friday and Judge Mike McAllister set her bond at $500,000.
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