Key facts
- Officer
- Jamie Patterson, Middletown Police Officer
- Verdict
- Guilty of two counts of dereliction of duty
- Incident date
- January (specific date not provided)
- Victim
- Handcuffed 15-year-old boy (now 16)
- Perpetrator
- Ex-step-grandfather, identified as 'Grandpa' on body camera
- Sentencing
- August 25; up to 90 days jail and $750 fine per count
Background
Middletown Police Officer Jamie Patterson was found guilty of two counts of dereliction of duty after a day-long bench trial on Thursday, according to WXIX. The charges stem from an incident in January when Patterson allowed a handcuffed 15-year-old boy to be whipped by his ex-step-grandfather with a belt.
Patterson had responded to the teen's house after his grandmother called 911 and asked that he be arrested following a fight over electronics that led to a physical altercation, as reported by the Journal-News. The boy, who has not been named due to his age, was later charged with domestic violence and unruly behavior.
Current situation
During the trial, Patterson cried as she testified in her own defense, insisting she believed she was helping the boy. 'Everyone around him was failing him, including the legal system, his probation officer and his parents, so the only thing in my heart was to recommend corporal punishment,' she said. She added, 'There's a few seconds window where I thought if I was there, I could be able to have corporal punishment done correctly lawfully, and that is why I let him do it in my presence.'
Prosecutors argued that Patterson was derelict of duty because the man who whipped the boy was the grandmother's ex-husband, and Ohio law only permits corporal punishment by parents or legal guardians. Body camera footage partially showed the man whipping the boy, but Patterson turned her body away and muted her camera. She was heard telling the man after the whipping, 'Grandpa, I respect you. Old school, I like it.'
Patterson faces a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and a maximum $750 fine for each count. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 25. The Middletown Police Department told local news outlet that Patterson is still on unpaid leave as of Thursday, and her employment status will be determined through discussions with attorneys and the police union.
| Charge | Maximum jail time per count | Maximum fine per count |
|---|---|---|
| Dereliction of duty | 90 days | $750 |
Impacts
The conviction could lead to Patterson's termination from the Middletown Police Department, though her employment status remains unclear pending discussions with attorneys and the police union. She has been on unpaid leave since the incident.
The case highlights the legal boundaries of corporal punishment in Ohio, which only permits it by parents or legal guardians. The boy, now 16, had visible marks from the whipping but was not treated for injuries, prosecutors noted. The incident may affect public trust in law enforcement, as an officer allowed a non-guardian to administer physical punishment to a handcuffed minor in her custody.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the court imposes the maximum sentence, Patterson could serve up to 90 days in jail and pay a $750 fine for each count. However, the judge may consider her emotional testimony and perceived good faith, potentially resulting in a lighter sentence.
Depending on the outcome of discussions with attorneys and the police union, Patterson may either return to duty or be dismissed from the department. If dismissed, she could face challenges in future law enforcement employment.
The case may prompt further review of police protocols regarding the handling of juvenile suspects and the use of corporal punishment, though no such review has been announced.
Source: dailymail.com
