Ohio Officer Found Guilty of Dereliction of Duty in Case Involving Teen Whipping
Middletown, Ohio - Officer Jamie Patterson was found guilty of two counts of dereliction of duty for encouraging and allowing a handcuffed 15-year-old boy in her custody to be whipped with a belt by an adult. Patterson testified she acted…
Charlotte, NC, August 3, 2026 —
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio – A Middletown police officer, Jamie Patterson, has been found guilty of two counts of dereliction of duty in connection with an incident where a handcuffed 15-year-old boy in her custody was whipped with a belt by an adult.
The verdict was delivered following a bench trial. Prosecutors contended that while Ohio law permits corporal punishment by parents or legal guardians, the adult involved in this case, identified as the grandmother’s ex-husband, did not meet that legal definition. The incident involved the teen being whipped multiple times.
Officer Patterson testified during the trial, stating that she acted in what she believed was good faith, thinking corporal punishment was necessary to assist the teenager. She also acknowledged having instructed parents on corporal punishment on numerous occasions in the past.
The 15-year-old involved in the incident has a history of behavioral issues and was reportedly under house arrest at the time. The whipping occurred while the teen was in Officer Patterson’s custody.
Officer Patterson faces potential jail time and fines as she awaits sentencing, which is scheduled for August 25th.
Story summarized from the original created by Jennifer Edwards Baker, Brenda Ordonez, Gray News staff on www.wbtv.com, see more information here.
