School Superintendent In Rape Case Appeals Unpaid Leave

BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio school superintendent accused of sexually assaulting a young girl is appealing his district's decision to put him on unpaid leave.

Patrick O'Donnell, of Lewistown, is expected to get a public hearing with the Indian Lake Schools board in Logan County once the Ohio Department of Education provides the required referee for the proceeding.

The 52-year-old O'Donnell has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, sexual battery and gross sexual imposition of a girl younger than 13. A court affidavit says the child alleged that O'Donnell touched her inappropriately and his wife, who is also a superintendent, failed to report the allegations to police.

Forty-six-year-old Heather O'Donnell, superintendent of Midwest Regional Education Services Center in Bellefontaine (behl-FOWN'-tihn), has pleaded not guilty to child endangering charges.