She's a counselor! That's what she was doing!!
A 24-year-old
school counselor has allegedly admitted to having sex with a 13-year-old boy after being 'busted' during a three-way call with cops and his mother.
Ohio investigators discovered a disturbing video of Payton Shires having sex with the young boy following a report from his worried parent in September.
Columbus Police officers charged Shires, of Mount Sterling, Ohio, with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, per ABC6.
The boy's mother began suspecting Shires of predatory behavior when she spotted texts between the licensed counselor and her son on his phone. The teen was receiving counseling from the 24-year-old.
Charging documents show the mom contacted police on September 27 after seeing a message from Shires asking her son whether he had 'deleted the videos' - and whether anyone had seen them.
The boy told detectives they had sex at least twice at different places in Columbus.
Police set up a three-way call between the mother, detectives and Shires, where the social worker reportedly admitted to the sexual relationship.
Shires was taken into custody and police said further charges could be brought against her in the coming days.
Police have released a mugshot of Shires, who is white with blue eyes and dyed blond hair.
State records show her counseling license was issued on June 12, 2023, and she used to work for the National Youth Advocate Program.
The program, which supports families in the foster care system or who need advocacy, would not disclose why she stopped working for them, citing confidentiality and the ongoing police case.
'Protecting children is everyone's responsibility.' program representatives said in a statement.
'The National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) is saddened by the situation involving one of our former employees and a young person served by our organization.
'NYAP has reported the situation to Franklin County Children Services (FCCS) and is collaborating with them and the Columbus Police Department on this case.'
Shires, who is being held at the Franklin County Corrections Center, appeared in court Friday and Judge Mike McAllister set her bond at $500,000.
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