Okaw Valley teacher accused of inappropriate communications with student named, charged

FINDLAY, Ill. (WCIA) — Police released new details, including a name and charges, in the case of a teacher accused of “inappropriate communications” with a student at Okaw Valley.

The teacher accused in that case was identified as Jason Engler and he was arrested by the Findlay Police Department. Chief Joshua Ekiss said in a press release that his department was informed on Aug. 16 by Okaw Valley School District that Engler, a teacher at their middle school, was communicating with a high school student.

Ekiss said that after executing a search warrant and interviewing Engler that day, officers arrested him for indecent solicitation of a child and grooming. He was taken to the Shelby County Detention Center to await arraignment.

“The Findlay Police Department would like to commend the bravery of the victims in this case who came forward,” Ekiss said. “We encourage all victims of sexual abuse to come forward, and we promise to do everything in our power to offer support.”

Ekiss also thanked the Bethany Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police for assistance in the investigation.

Court records show that Engler made his first appearance on Monday. A detention hearing was scheduled for the following day; it was decided to place Engler on house arrest with electronic monitoring. He was forbidden from using the Internet altogether, including social media, and from having contact with people under the age of 18 other than his own children.

A status hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 18.

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