A custodian at Indian Trail Elementary School in Canal Winchester, Ohio, has been arrested under serious allegations of engaging in inappropriate conversations and exchanging child sexual abuse material with a minor. Rick Andermatt, 41, faces charges that include pandering obscenities involving a minor and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, as reported by NBC4 and 10TV.
According to the Columbus Division of Police, Andermatt was arrested after a sexual text conversation with a 16-year-old victim, which was ongoing for several months and involved the sharing of explicit photos and an attempt to meet for sexual activities. The victim, confirmed to be safe with her family, does not attend the school where Andermatt was employed. The details of the case were outlined in the Columbus Dispatch.
The Canal Winchester Local School District has responded by placing Andermatt on administrative leave, disallowing him from school property and any district events. "The district placed a second-shift custodian on administrative leave effective immediately on Friday, April 25, after learning that the employee was arrested on charges of pandering sexually oriented material to a minor,” the district stated, reinforcing their commitment to the safety and well-being of all children and their cooperation with ongoing investigation efforts as per the information obtained by 10TV.
Court records reveal that Andermatt admitted to having nude photos and videos of the victim and being aware of her age, the contents obtained by authorities when the victim allowed detectives to use her phone for communications, thus leading to his arrest and subsequent arraignment with bail set at $750,000; the seriousness of the charges is underscored by the Columbus Police and the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which have both been involved in the investigation, his next court appearance is scheduled for May 5, as reported by the Columbus Dispatch.
To address the broader risks of online child exploitation, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force advises parents to adhere to their S.M.A.R.T. parenting tips for monitoring and ensuring online safety for their children. These steps, outlined by the task force and reported by 10TV, include setting up devices, accounts, and passwords, monitoring online use and connections of their children, approving apps and games, restricting content and permissions, and initiating ongoing conversations about the importance of safe online behavior.
