Ohio
Ohio teacher caught badmouthing 6-year-old student on Zoom call, school launches investigation
An Ohio parent whose child was coming home from school covered in bruises from other students caught her son’s teacher badmouthing him on a Zoom call after she shared her concerns, according to a local report.
The mother had requested to meet with her 6-year-old son’s teacher at Reynolds Elementary School in Toledo because she said he came home saying he wanted to kill himself after other students allegedly beat him up during class, local ABC affiliate station 13 Action News reported.
“He was coming home with multiple bruises bloody noses. He was coming home saying he was going to kill himself. Just a numerous amount of things,” she told the station.
But instead of reassurance, the concerned parent got a damning earful from the teacher and a special education administrator who stayed on the scheduled Zoom call after the mom left the meeting, according to the outlet.
The parent, who was granted anonymity, was sent a recording and transcript of the full call — including the six minutes the teacher and administrator remained on the call after she logged off — by the school district.
In what the pair apparently believed was a private conversation, the teacher allegedly called the 6-year-old “annoying” and admitted that half of her young students say they hate their life and invoke suicide, the news station reported.
“He is annoying AF. It’s not like I don’t excuse this but I tried to tell mom this is a behavior classroom. All these kids are in here for a reason,” the teacher allegedly said.
The teacher also claimed that the child’s statements about killing himself were something he picked up from other students in the special education class.
“And he’s getting hurt and the thing about wanting to kill himself that’s a learned behavior,” the teacher reportedly said to the district administrator. “You know my class. All day long he screams, ‘I hate my life. I hate my life. I’ll kill myself’ and he did learn that in here. Half my class says that all day long,” the teacher said.
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The little boy’s mom was shocked by what she heard.
“My 6-year-old saying he wanted to kill himself and it not being reported and her just saying it so calmly that’s a regular behavior in my class. It should be reported because kids are taking their lives every day,” the mother told Action News.
The teacher also allegedly spoke about another student, who was accused of beating up the parent’s child. The accused student’s name was redacted.
“[Redacted] beat him up? Oh yeah, [Redacted] is mean. Everyone always sees [Redacted] and like why is he in this class and I’m like [makes a face]… They’re like why is [Redacted] in that class because like he’s an attempted murderer,” the teacher allegedly said while laughing. “He will chase you down with his pencil.”
The Toledo school district has since launched an investigation, according to the local station.
“Toledo Public Schools is working with the administration at Reynolds Elementary to address questionable comments by two staff members following a parent meeting last Friday morning. The meeting was videotaped unbeknownst to those involved, and the district sent a link to the parent,” James Gant, Esq. Deputy Superintendent said in a statement to Action News.
“Toledo Public Schools holds its employees to the highest professional standards and will take additional and appropriate steps following the holiday, including possible disciplinary action.”
While the hurt mother said she hoped the school would do something about what happened on the call, she had already removed her son from the school, according to the outlet.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
Ohio
Police release video showing person of interest in killing of Ohio dentist and his wife
Authorities investigating the apparent shooting deaths of a dentist and his wife in Ohio released security video Monday of a person of interest in the case.
Columbus police said the video was recorded between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Dec. 30 in an alley next to the Columbus home of Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39.
In a statement, the police department said investigators believe the couple were killed on the top floor of their home during that three-hour window.
The brief video shows a person walking in the alley wearing light-colored pants and a hooded dark jacket.
The department asked the public for information about the identity of the person and said detectives are following up on numerous tips.
Authorities discovered the Tepes’ bodies after several 911 calls from colleagues and loved ones on the morning of Dec. 30. Among the callers was a friend who reported having found Spencer Tepe’s body next to his bed.
The couple appeared to have been shot, according to an incident report.
The Franklin County coroner’s office told NBC Chicago on Monday that the pair died in an apparent homicide by gunshot wounds, adding that the case is not finalized and that additional reports are pending.
Three 9 mm shell casings were found in the family’s home, a preliminary investigative report shows. The couple’s two young children were in the house unharmed.
Authorities have not identified a possible motive. The police department previously said it does not believe the killings were a murder-suicide.
Spencer Tepe worked at a dental practice in Athens, Ohio, where he focused on comprehensive dentistry and implant therapy, according to a company biography.
The Tepe family has described the pair as “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others.”
“Our family is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of Spencer and Monique,” the family said in a statement.
Ohio
Ohio State vs Nebraska live score updates, highlights, how to watch game
Ohio State’s men’s basketball players were on the bus to the airport after having won at Rutgers when they switched on the Nebraska-Michigan State game. The drive from Piscataway to Trenton allowed the Buckeyes to see the Cornhuskers prevail in the final seconds and improve to 14-0 with a 58-56 win against the Spartans.
Now, Nebraska brings the nation’s longest winning streak to the Jerome Schottenstein Center, presenting a challenge Ohio State coach Jake Diebler said is one his team is excited for.
“When they saw they won, (our players were) was excited about how big of an opportunity this is for us,” Diebler said Jan. 4. “It’s an early-season Big Ten game, but it’s one at home and it’s one against a team that’s established themselves. You have a top-10 team coming into your building, it’s a huge opportunity and our guys know that. We’ll be ready for it.”
Ohio State is 10-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten after the Jan. 2 win against Rutgers.
Follow along with all the action at our Dispatch live game blog below.
The Buckeyes will be wearing some new Nike shoes for the Nebraska game, as the team showed in a video posted to social media.
Neither team has any surprises on its official availability report. Ohio State is still without Josh Ojianwuna (knee surgery) and Myles Herro (redshirt), while Nebraska’s Henry Burt is out. None of the three have played in a game this season.
Ohio State vs Nebraska score updates
This section will be updated when the game begins.
- Date: Monday, Jan. 5
- Start time: 5:30 p.m. ET
The Ohio State vs Nebraska game starts at 6:30 p.m. from the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.
- TV Channel: FS1
- Livestream: Fox Sports App
- Radio: WBNS-FM (97.1)
The Buckeyes’ 14th game of the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season will air nationally on FS1. Brandon Gaudin and Steve Smith will call the game from the Jerome Schottenstein Center. Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Stream Ohio State vs. Nebraska
- Series record: Ohio State leads 22-8
- Ohio State’s last win: March 4, 2025 (116-114, 2OT, in Columbus)
- Nebraska’s last win: Feb. 9, 2025 (79-71 in Lincoln)
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, Jan. 4
Spread: Ohio State by 2.5
Over/under: 154.5
Moneyline: Ohio State (-140) | Nebraska (+115)
Ohio State men’s basketball schedule
- Oct. 26 – Ohio University (exhibition) W, 103-74 (takeaways)
- Nov. 3 – IU Indy, W, 118-102 (takeaways)
- Nov. 7 – Purdue Fort Wayne, W, 94-68 (takeaways)
- Nov. 11 – Appalachian State, W 75-53 (takeaways)
- Nov. 16 – Notre Dame, W 64-63 (takeaways)
- Nov. 20 – Western Michigan W, 91-58 (takeaways)
- Nov. 25 – Mount St. Mary’s W, 113-60 (takeaways)
- Nov. 28 – at Pitt L, 67-66 (takeaways)
- Dec. 6 – at Northwestern W, 86-82 (takeaways)
- Dec. 9 – Illinois L, 88-80 (takeaways)
- Dec. 13 – vs. West Virginia (Cleveland Hoops Showdown, Cleveland) W, 89-88, 2OT (takeaways)
- Dec. 20 – vs. North Carolina (CBS Sports Classic, Atlanta) L, 71-70 (takeaways)
- Dec. 23 – Grambling State W, 89-63 (takeaways)
- Jan. 2 – at Rutgers W, 80-73 (takeaways)
- Jan. 5 – Nebraska
- Jan. 8 – at Oregon
- Jan. 11 – at Washington
- Jan. 17 – UCLA
- Jan. 20 – Minnesota
- Jan. 23 – at Michigan
- Jan. 26 – Penn State
- Jan. 31 – at Wisconsin
- Feb. 5 – at Maryland
- Feb. 8 – Michigan
- Feb. 11 – USC
- Feb. 14 – vs. Virginia (Nashville Hoops Showdown, Nashville)
- Feb. 17 – Wisconsin
- Feb. 22 – at Michigan State
- Feb. 25 – at Iowa
- March 1 – Purdue
- March 4 – at Penn State
- March 7 – Indiana
Buy Ohio State vs. Nebraska men’s basketball tickets
- In ‘fascinating’ hoops era, Ohio State’s Jake Diebler wants clarity
- At Rutgers, Jake Diebler, Ohio State celebrated another Big Ten road win
- Could Ohio State men’s basketball add a player to its roster midseason?
- After last year, Ohio State enjoying less chaotic locker room situation
- Ohio State’s ‘loyal, humble’ Bruce Thornton to have prep jersey retired
- How is Ohio State’s Devin Royal handling his position change so far?
- Pointed talks with Jake Diebler fueled Brandon Noel’s breakout game
- Ohio State’s Christoph Tilly, John Mobley battle injuries at Northwestern
- What will happen to the naming rights to Ohio State’s Value City Arena?
- Freshman Amare Bynum bringing dunks, scoring and ‘joy’ to Ohio State
- Ohio State’s Devin Royal gifts new jerseys to Pickerington Central
- On memorable evening, Ohio State pays tribute to Jerry Lucas with statue unveiling
- Alex Smith celebrates reaching milestone, signing to play basketball for Ohio State
- After signing for Ohio State, five-star forward Anthony Thompson has prolific game
- BTN analyst Raphael Davis says Ohio State will earn double bye in conference tournament
- Who is Ohio State’s best shooter? Dunker? Dresser? The Buckeyes sound off in annual poll
- Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton talking trash, playing freer and ready for his senior year
Ohio State men’s basketball beat writer Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @cdadamjardy.bsky.social or on Twitter at @AdamJardy.
Ohio
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