SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A Common Pleas Court judge has dismissed charges against a former Hillcrest Academy employee accused of sexual abuse.
Francine Thomas was accused of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in May 2023, leading to the temporary closure of the residential youth treatment facility.
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The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office said the juvenile who accused Thomas, like all other residents at the facility, was moved to an out-of-state facility after Hillcrest closed. That juvenile was recently arrested on gun charges with their bond set at $100,000.
Because the juvenile was unable to travel back to Cincinnati for Thomas's trial, the prosecutor's office asked for a continuance, which the judge denied. Charges against Thomas were dismissed.
The prosecutor's office did not say whether or not it would charge Thomas in the future.
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