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