Why isn't grooming a crime in Ohio? How a Facebook post launched an Enquirer investigation

Like most people, I spend probably too much time on social media. As The Enquirer's education reporter, I especially enjoy funny school-related memes and trends.

One such trend from last winter caught my attention: "I went to (name your alma mater), of course (name a ridiculous, niche thing that happened there)."

My example: I went to Miami University, of course I blew my entire meal plan on 2 a.m. trips to Pulley Diner. (RedHawks know what I mean).

But this trend took a sharp turn when I saw Reiko Hargis-McGuirt's post on Facebook. She wrote: "I went to Norwood, of course Caleb Barber groomed me, got off with a warning and then continues to work with children to this day."

More: Innocent words or predator's trap? The trouble with making grooming illegal

It stopped me in my tracks.

I called the school, the police, Hargis-McGuirt herself and the state's education department trying to find answers. I ended up with more questions, chief among them: Why isn't grooming a crime in Ohio ?

It took six months, but I finally spoke with Barber and got his side of the story, too. This is important because Barber hasn't been charged with anything, and he claims his close friendship with Hargis-McGuirt was innocent and not grooming at all.

Red flags: What is 'grooming' and how can parents keep kids safe from abuse?

I'll let you decide for yourself what to take from Hargis-McGuirt's and Barber's stories.

Meet me at the library

And if you have a story yourself you'd like to share, about anything schools-related, please feel free to join me at my public office hours. I post up at local libraries once a week to chat with community members, answer questions and learn more about our local schools.

Here's where you can find me the rest of this month:

• I'll be at the Cheviot Branch Library, located at 3711 Robb Ave., from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15.
• I'll be at the Campbell County Public Library Newport Branch, located at 901 E 6th St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22.
• I'll be at the Mariemont Branch Library, located at 3810 Pocahontas Ave., from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why isn't grooming a crime in Ohio? How a Facebook post launched an Enquirer investigation