Midwest
Ohio mom lashes out at social worker who 'groomed,' raped 13-year-old son
The regret-ridden mother of a 13-year-old boy who was groomed and raped by his adult female social worker wishes she never let the predator in her home.
In a statement read in court Thursday, the unidentified mother told Payton Shires, of Ohio, that the abuse has devastated her son and negated any faith she had in the nation’s social services, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
“Instead, he was manipulated, groomed and sexually abused by Ms. Shires,” the statement read, according to the local newspaper. “I regret ever letting you in my house.”
Shires, 24, was sentenced to more than four years in prison and will have to register as a sex offender moving forward.
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Payton Shires was sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison June 27 for raping a 13-year-old client when she was a youth counselor. (LinkedIn/ USA TODAY NETWORK)
She pleaded guilty to four counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in May, along with other raps.
The victim’s mother said she began to notice alarming texts between Shires and her son late last year – including one where the counselor asked if he had deleted certain videos.
Investigators would later recover incriminating texts and at least one video showing them engaged in sexual acts.
Police orchestrated a three-way phone call between Shires and the mother, and the social worker acknowledged the illicit relationship.
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Payton Shires, 24, was sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison Thursday for raping a 13-year-old boy. (X )
Shires worked with the National Youth Advocate Program, which pairs foster children and other kids with counseling and support.
Shires was terminated after the allegations came to light.
The counselor was released on $50,000 bond after her arrest, and showed up at the victim’s home brandishing a gun.
The boy’s mother, she ranted, had destroyed her life by alerting authorities to their relationship. Shires, police said, threatened to kill the parent.
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Payton Shires apologized Thursday for raping a 13-year-old boy before she was sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison. (Franklin County Sheriff’s Office)
“I was not thinking rationally at the time that I showed up to the mother’s house,” she told the court Thursday, claiming that she was suicidal in that moment.
“I’m just thankful that she took the right steps to call the police,” Shires said, reasoning that the arrest prevented her from continuing farther down a dark path.
Shires asked Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Serrott for mercy at the sentencing, telling the court that she has a 4-year-old son and suffered from longstanding and untreated mental illness.
But Serrott slammed Shires for her actions.
“He was a child,” the judge said before handing down the term. “He was trying to get the help he needed.”
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Milwaukee Police Department (MPD)
MILWAUKEE – One person was killed in a shooting in Milwaukee early Saturday morning, May 2.
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, just after 1 a.m., an 18-year-old was shot in the area of 62nd and Arthur (near the border between Milwaukee and West Allis).
The shooting victim died from their injuries.
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MPD tips
What you can do:
Milwaukee police are looking for those responsible.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or use the P3 Tips app.
The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department sent FOX6 the information.
Police in Minneapolis are investigating after city officials said four people were injured in a shooting at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on Friday night.
According to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, officers responded to a report from an individual of a suspicious person around 8:38 p.m. The caller said there was a large gathering of young adults in the parking lot of the park, which is located at 4055 Nicollet Ave.
According to city officials, multiple gunshots were fired before the officers arrived at the park.
A 19-year-old woman was taken to the hospital by ambulance with serious injuries, city officials said. Three other people, whose ages have yet to be disclosed, self-transported to the hospital with gunshot-related injuries
No suspects in the shooting have been arrested, officials said.
Park police are working with the Minneapolis Police Department to investigate the incident.
This is a developing story.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The month of May begins with “the greatest spectacle in running.”
Runners from all over gear up for the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, with the first race starting at 7:35 a.m. Saturday.
At the Indiana Convention Center on Friday, participants were prepping. They picked out shoes and running gear, and checked out the course map. Organizers estimated over 20,000 runners for the big race day. There’s the 5K run and, of course, the half-marathon that runs through Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This year marks the 50th annual Mini-Marathon. Organizer Linday Labas of the 500 Festival said, “We have five Indy alumni who have done this race all 50 years, so they just keep coming back. They like the other part of the month of May, celebrating and tackling it. I know it looks different now than it was 50 years ago, but they keep coming back, because they love the celebration around Indy Mini.”
Cecilio Martinez has marathon tattoos for all the times he’s run. He ran the Chicago, Berlin, Honolulu and New York City marathons. But, he only has one half-marathon inked on his calf, and that’s Indy’s Mini-Marathon with the 50th anniversary medal. He said this isn’t the first time he’s run the Indy Mini. “I like the course. I like the people. I love Indy Mini.”
Runner Karina McDougle said, “Unlike 2025, the race is going to be chilly with temperatures as low as 39 degrees. “Honestly, because I’ve been running in so much cold weather, I’m pretty used to that, and I would prefer that. I do overheat a lot. It’s great for me, I’m looking for a cool day.”
There are also lots of first-timers running the half-marathon, including Wabash Middle-High School wrestler James Day. “We’re just excited about the experience. They actually talked me into it. I didn’t want to do it originally. I ran one day this week. We’ll see how this goes. I just came back from a wrestling season, though, so I should be in a decent shape.”
At the end of the 13.1 miles, runners will receive a golden medal to mark their accomplishment.
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