WYOMING, Ohio — One of the teenage boys involved in a sexual assault after a Wyoming High School baseball practice in April 2023 was sentenced Wednesday.
The juvenile was put on probation. He is not allowed to have any contact with the victim and will be on probation until he turns 21. During the hearing, he apologized to everyone in court and said he regretted what he did.
Police said three teen boys — all 15 years old at the time — assaulted the victim on April 28, 2023. According to the release, the juveniles were taken into custody in May 2023.
All four of the teenage boys were teammates on the baseball team.
On Wednesday, the father of the victim spoke before sentencing.
"These young men did things to my son that he has to wrestle with for the rest of his life," he said. "My son was their high school teammate in baseball and unfortunately my son does not want to play baseball again."
Mark Krumbien, the lawyer for the teenager in court Wednesday, said he wouldn't make excuses for his client, and neither is his client.
"He made a terrible mistake he's not denying it he's completely taking responsibility for it. Because of his actions he's already lost a big chunk of his youth and it was his fault," Krumbein said.
Tim Weber, superintendent at Wyoming City Schools, said the allegations did not represent the district's core values.
"I am absolutely horrified by the incident alleged to have taken place in the Wyoming High School locker room on Friday, April 28," Weber said. "We will take the strongest actions possible to support those in need."
The district conducted a school-based investigation while cooperating with the police.
"At Wyoming High School, we teach and demonstrate high character and will continue to care for each other as a community," Weber said.
Originally, one of the juveniles was charged with one count of rape, three counts of kidnapping and one count of hazing. Another faced one count of gross sexual imposition, three counts of kidnapping and one count of hazing. The third juvenile was also charged with gross sexual imposition along with two counts of kidnapping and one count of hazing.
The teen in court Wednesday pleaded guilty to abduction, hazing and felonious assault instead of the original sex crimes he was charged with.
While it wasn't the outcome the victim's father wanted, he also spoke about the trauma his son endured.
"My son though is resilient. He continues to be active in varsity sports and will overcome his tragedy," the victim's father said.
Though the prosecution wanted the teen to serve some time in prison, they also wanted the court to send a message that bullying and sexual assault won't be tolerated.
"The defendant needs to be punished for his actions and the court needs to send a message that this behavior is wrong and unacceptable," said Leah Dinkelacker with the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office. "To pick on a nice boy like the victim in this case in this way is quite frankly sickening."
Another one of the teenagers involved was supposed to be sentenced Wednesday, but it was moved to Monday, June 3.
It is unknown when the third teen will be sentenced.
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