A 24-year-old social worker from Ohio, who was charged with having sexual relations with a boy aged 13 she was assigned as counsel for, faces new charges of allegedly attempting to intimidate his family.
The Columbus, Ohio ABC Station WSYX reported last week that Payton Shires was emotional when the charges against her were read.
According to court records, a warrant for Shires was issued on October 26. She was charged with intimidation of a witness through force or threats on October 28.
Shires, according to prosecutors, showed up with a weapon at the home of the 13-year-old boy during the hearing.
The station reported that she had threatened to commit suicide while there and blamed her family for “ruining” her life.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that on Oct. 6, Payton, the boy’s mom, and the police made a call to Shires and they all admitted having a sexual relationship.
The report stated that Shires had previously worked for the National Youth Advocate Program, which provides counseling, advocacy, and social work to families in the foster care system. When she left the organization it was not known.
Shires sent suspicious texts to the boy’s mother on September 27.
According to court documents, when police searched the phone they discovered a video showing the teen and Shires engaging in sexual activity. According to court records, the teen told detectives that he had sexual relations with Shires at various locations in Columbus in September.
She was arrested and charged with sexual misconduct with a child under the age of 18 years. Her bond was set at $500,000
Shires’s bond was revoked due to the new charges. She is expected to remain in jail until her next scheduled court appearance on Nov. 6.
