[Editor’s Note: The story has been updated to clarify the charged student did not attend prom based on new information from Hudson City Schools. ]
HUDSON, Ohio (WJW) – An 18-year-old Hudson High School senior has been indicted on multiple serious criminal charges involving a 9-year-old child.
Students and parents in the district are just learning about the investigation, but according to court records, the alleged crimes occurred around December 2, 2023.
The teen was arraigned on February 7, 2024 in Summit County Common Pleas Court on charges of rape, kidnapping and gross sexual imposition.
He was in court Tuesday for his second pretrial, but most of his classmates and his parents told FOX 8 News they had no idea.
“When I got the text from my mom, I was at school and like, oh my God, I felt bad,” said a senior and classmate who asked not to be identified.
They are upset because they say the young man continued attending classes all this time without anyone knowing about the alleged serious crimes.
He also competed in sporting events and could graduate on May 23.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate,” the colleague said. “Because I know people who did smaller things and got in a lot more trouble and weren’t allowed to play sports, but he, at least allegedly, did a horrible thing to a 9-year-old and was allowed to play sports. all these other things.”
School officials told FOX 8 that although a judge said the student could have attended the prom and post-prom, he did not.
The school district released the following statement to FOX 8:
“Hudson City Schools is aware that one of our high school students is part of a police investigation involving an alleged sexual assault. While we are not permitted to discuss details of the case, we want to make it clear that this alleged incident did not occur on school property and did not involve another Hudson City School District student. This is a legal matter with the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office and the Summit County Court System. Supportive and protective measures have been implemented to keep all students safe since the issue was first brought to the district’s attention.
“We understand that there are doubts; however, the district is extremely limited in the information that can be released in accordance with the law and student privacy policies. Please know that the well-being and safety of all our students remains our top priority.”
Several students and parents told FOX 8 off the record they were upset and have serious concerns about this and how it was handled.
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Additionally, an online petition was started demanding that the student be suspended until after the criminal trial and not attend graduation.
“They don’t think it’s fair that at graduation all the focus is essentially on him, when they should be enjoying and celebrating graduation,” said one mother.
“This is a heinous thing and even though it’s alleged and maybe he didn’t actually do it, it’s like, I don’t know if I could be anywhere near that,” said his daughter, who is graduating with him.
The student has another pre-trial scheduled for July and the case will go to trial on August 7th.
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