Was your child harmed by an assistant principal at Aiken High School?
Markovits, Stock & DeMarco, LLC is investigating potential civil claims on behalf of students and families who may have been harmed by alleged sexual misconduct involving an assistant principal at Aiken New Tech High School, a Cincinnati Public School High School located in the Cincinnati suburb of College Hill.
Publicly available reporting indicates that Aiken assistant principal Steven Barton has been charged with multiple counts of sexual battery and grooming involving students at the school.¹ If your child attended Aiken and was subjected to inappropriate contact, communications, or attention from a school administrator, your family may be entitled to compensation and other legal remedies. All inquiries are handled with strict confidentiality.
What Happened?
According to a Cincinnati police criminal complaint, Barton, 43, allegedly engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with a 16-year-old student at the school in late August 2026. Investigators stated that the allegation was based on the student’s detailed statement and was corroborated by school surveillance video and Barton’s own statements. Because Barton is a school administrator and the student was enrolled at the school, the charge was elevated to felony sexual battery under Ohio law. Police released Barton’s booking photo because investigators believed there could be additional victims.²
A Cincinnati police detective reportedly told the court that investigators believe Barton groomed the student during the 2025-26 school year before the alleged contact. Barton was subsequently indicted on five counts of sexual battery and one count of grooming involving that student.³
In October 2026, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office announced additional charges in a separate case involving four more students, including six counts of sexual battery and two counts of grooming. Two of those students were reportedly 15 and two were 17 at the time of the alleged conduct.⁴ Prosecutors allege that Barton used his position to have inappropriate physical contact with students, in some instances allegedly checking school records to locate students and removing them from class to private locations. Prosecutors also allege that he took some students shopping, drove them to and from school, and sent them money through Cash App.⁵
Cincinnati Public Schools has stated that Barton was removed from duty and will have no contact with students while the criminal and district investigations proceed.⁶ Barton has pleaded not guilty to the initial charge, and the criminal charges are allegations that have not been proven in court.
Did the School Receive Earlier Warnings?
One of the central questions in any school abuse case is what school officials knew and when. The mother of another Aiken student reportedly told a local news outlet that Barton called her son into a private office in January 2026, despite not being assigned to him, and touched him inappropriately. She says she reported the incident to another assistant principal at the time and asked that it be handled immediately.⁷ It is not yet clear what action, if any, was taken in response, or whether that allegation is connected to the pending charges.
Schools have legal obligations to protect students, to respond to reports of sexual misconduct, and to supervise the adults they place in positions of authority over children. Our investigation is focused on whether those obligations were met.
Who May Have a Claim?
- Current or former Aiken New Tech High School students who experienced inappropriate touching, contact, or sexual conduct by a school administrator
- Students who were removed from class, isolated in offices or other private locations, given gifts or money, or offered rides by a school administrator
- Families who reported concerns to school staff about an administrator’s conduct with students
- Parents and guardians whose children have suffered emotional distress, academic disruption, or other harm as a result
Potential Legal Claims and Compensation
Civil claims are separate from the criminal case and are brought on behalf of the student and family, not the State. Depending on the facts, potential claims may include claims under Title IX, which requires schools receiving federal funds to respond appropriately to known sexual harassment and abuse; federal civil rights claims; and state-law claims for negligent hiring, supervision, and retention.
What Families Can Do Now
Your child’s safety and well-being come first. If your child has disclosed abuse or you have concerns, consider connecting your child with a counselor or medical provider experienced in working with young people.
- If you have information related to the investigation, contact the Cincinnati Police Department.
- Preserve text messages, social media messages, Cash App or other payment records, emails, and any communications with the school.
- Write down what your child has shared, along with dates, locations, and the names of any staff members you contacted.
- Consider speaking with an attorney before giving recorded statements to the school district
You do not need to wait for the criminal case to end to understand your rights. Deadlines for civil claims, particularly claims involving public school districts, can be strict, so early legal review can help protect your family’s options.
Contact Us About Your Legal Rights
If you would like a free, confidential consultation with an attorney to learn more about your family’s rights related to the Aiken New Tech High School abuse allegations, please contact Markovits, Stock & DeMarco, LLC attorney Justin C. Walker. You can reach us through any of the following:
- Call us at (513) 651-3700
- Email us at [email protected]
- Submit a Case Evaluation request through the form on our website
¹https://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/assistant-principal-at-aiken-new-tech-high-school-charged-with-sexual-battery-of-student-documents-reveal
²Id.
³https://local12.com/news/local/aiken-high-school-assistant-principal-steven-barton-sexual-battery-grooming-charges-cincinnati
⁴ https://fox19.com/2026/10/08/cincinnati-assistant-principal-faces-more-sexual-battery-charges-involving-more-4-students
⁵Id.
⁶Supra note 1.
⁷Supra note 3.