ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) It took a long, angry post on Facebook to trigger a full investigation into allegations of sexual abuse within an Athens-area family.The post, made last month by a girl who
Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith placed Sergeant Jimmy Childs on paid administrative leave Friday before the officer was arrested in connection to the Athens County Prosecutorâs Officeâs sweeping investigation into the Bellar family.
Smith said in a news release from the prosecutorâs office that his office will enlist an outside agency to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations levied against Childs once legal proceedings conclude.
âIt has been my mission to restore the integrity of The Athens County Sheriffâs Office during my tenure, and we will continue to hold our deputies to a high ethical and professional standard,â Smith said in a statement. âThere are no allegations of wrongdoing against this office or any other deputy. We will continue to be open, honest and forthcoming with this investigation.â
Ohio parents of 19 children are charged with incest after daughter escaped and reported how she she was told at uncle s church: You must reproduce with your siblings to prepare for end of the world
Robert Bellar, 54 and his wife Deborah Bellar, 49, face charges in connection with an ongoing sexual abuse investigation concerning their children
Two of their sons Jonathan Levi Bellar, 26, and Josiah Bellar, 24, are also charged
That came after one of Robert and Deborah s daughters, Serah Bellar, said she was forced to attend a cult church run by her uncle, James Bellar
Serah had been missing since April last year after escaping the alleged abuse
Athens County deputy charged with tampering with evidence in connection to child abuse case 10tv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from 10tv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Four members of the Bellar family are currently faces charges.
Credit: Athens County Prosecutor s Office Author: 10TV Web Staff Updated: 1:43 PM EDT May 21, 2021
A father and son appeared in court Friday on separate indictments related to the alleged ongoing sexual abuse of children in Athens County.
Robert Bellar, 54, is charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and two counts of endangering children. His son, 26-year-old Jonathan Bellar, is charged with gross sexual imposition.
Both pleaded not guilty and Robert was given a $1 million bond while Jonathan’s bond was set at $100,000.
Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said the sexual abuse investigation started when a now 18-year-old woman, who is alleged to be one of the victims, posted online about several allegations, including sexual assault.