High School assistant principal charged with sexual battery of student
By Fletcher Keel
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CINCINNATI, Ohio (WLWT) — An assistant high school principal in the Cincinnati Public Schools district has been charged after allegedly engaging in sexual conduct with a 16-year-old, court records say. Detectives say there could be more victims.
According to a complaint filed in Hamilton County Municipal Court, Steven Barton has been charged with one count of sexual battery.
Records allege Barton, who is an assistant principal at Aiken New Tech High School, touched the victim’s “erogenous zones” with “his exposed hand” for “several minutes.”
According to court records, the victim is an Aiken High student.
Documents say statements made by the victim were corroborated by video surveillance, as well as statements made by Barton.
In court, a detective with Cincinnati Police shared additional details on the investigation.
The victim told detectives Barton engaged in grooming behavior over the course of the 2025-26 school year.
At the start of the current 2026-27 school year, detectives allege Barton engaged in sexual contact and masturbation of the victim in a “close and confined space isolated from the rest of the school.”
“He’s a school leader who is trusted and supposed to protect students that he cares for,” Cincinnati Police Detective Soren Koch-Hutchinson.
Koch-Hutchinson said they are less than 24 hours into this investigation an say they believe there could be more victims. Victims are asked to reach out to police and community members are asked to share any information with police.
In a statement to WLWT, Cincinnati Public Schools says the district is “deeply concerned” by the allegations, that Barton has “been removed from duty” and that the district is “cooperating fully” with law enforcement.
CPS’ full statement can be seen below:
“Cincinnati Public Schools is deeply concerned by the allegations involving an Aiken New Tech High School assistant principal and a student.
When school administrators learned of the allegation, they immediately contacted Cincinnati Police. The employee has been removed from duty and will have no contact with students while the criminal and District investigations are underway.
CPS is cooperating fully with law enforcement. Our immediate concern is the student’s well-being and privacy. Because this involves a student and an active criminal investigation, we cannot provide additional details.”
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