COLUMBUS, OH – Payton Shires, a 24-year-old social worker, is currently under investigation for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy she was counseling. Shires was arrested on her birthday without any resistance, local sources reported.
Shires was previously associated with the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP), a body that provides counseling, social work, and advocacy for families in the foster care system. However, the details regarding her departure from NYAP are still vague.
The mother of the boy became suspicious after finding text messages from Shires on her son’s phone and reported it to the police on September 27. Court documents indicate that a video of Shires and the boy in a sexual act was discovered on the boy’s phone. The boy confessed to the police that he had sexual encounters with Shires at different locations in Columbus throughout September.
Shires is now facing charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and is being held on a $500,000 bond. Her next court hearing is set for October 16.
NYAP has expressed their dismay over the incident involving their former employee and a minor under their care. They have assured their full cooperation with the ongoing police investigation and have reported the incident to Franklin County Children Services (FCCS).