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Ohio District Fires Superintendent Charged with Child Rape

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BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio (AP) – An Ohio superintendent facing rape and other charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a young girl has been fired.

The Dispatch reports the Indian Lake school board voted Monday to dismiss 52-year-Patrick O’Donnell.

He’s been on unpaid leave since July and is scheduled for trial next month in Logan County.

The board rejected a state Education Department recommendation that it wait on discipline until after the trial.

O’Donnell and his wife were indicted in June. Prosecutors say 46-year-old Heather O’Donnell faces child endangering charges for not reporting abuse allegations against her husband that involve a now 13-year-old girl more than three years ago.

Heather O’Donnell is on leave as superintendent of the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center in Bellefontaine.