Payton Harleigh Shires, 24, of Mount Sterling, Madison County, Ohio, United States is a former National Youth Advocate Program employee. On June 12, 2023, she received her social work license, which will expire in 2025.
While employed as a social worker, Shires had sex with a boy, 13, of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio at various locations in Columbus in September 2023. They took videos of the encounters.
Shires was assigned to provide the boy mental health counseling services. She sent text messages to the boy asking him if he deleted their sex videos and if his mother had seen messages between them.
On September 27, 2023, the mother saw the messages and contacted the Columbus Division of Police. She gave her son’s phone to police officers as evidence.
A video of Shires engaging in sexual acts with the boy was found on the device. Joined by police officers, the mother called Shires and the social worker admitted to having sex with the boy multiple times.
On October 6, 2023, the special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team of the Columbus Division of Police took Shires into custody without incident. She was charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
On October 7, 2023, Shires appeared in Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus where the judge issued a $500,000 cash, surety or appearance bond. On October 16, 2023, she will be back in court for a preliminary hearing .
CONAN Daily 