New Berlin, Illinois – Springfield Leaks has confirmed that there is an active criminal investigation into the conduct of a Physical Education Teacher at New Berlin High School for Sexual Misconduct.
Ryan T. O’Donnell, age 24, who is on leave from New Berlin High School, is under criminal investigation by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office. When we asked for additional information from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, they would only comment by saying that it is an active investigation, and they are unable to provide information on this case at this time.
Springfield Leaks has confirmed through a source that the investigation is surrounding Ryan’s conduct towards a female student. According to the source, they confirmed that Ryan, who has been suspended as a teacher with New Berlin High School, is under investigation for watching a female student change her clothes in the locker room.
The source also stated that the victim’s parents contacted the New Berlin High School Principal, Hattie Llewellyn, and the parent’s felt that the principal did nothing. After speaking with the principal, the parents then contacted The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, and Superintendent, Dr. Adam Ehrman to report the sexual misconduct.
We sent a Freedom of Information Request to Dr. Ehrman, and we were denied records regarding Ryan’s suspension. The events, regarding Ryan’s suspension is still being investigated, according to the district. At this time, we do not know how long Ryan will be on suspension with the New Berlin High School.
Due to having limited information on what progress has been made in the Ryan’s criminal case and with the New Berlin School District denying most of what we requested, we decided to turn to the public. On Friday, January 10, 2020, we posted a Facebook status on our Facebook page, requesting for teachers and employees within the New Berlin School District to contact us. Within minutes, we’ve received dozens of messages. One parent, who reached out to us in concern of what was going on at their child’s school, began questioning us and their child at the same time. When the parent, that we spoke with, questioned their child regarding anything occurring at the school, the child asked their parent, “is this something that happened about a month ago?” We responded, “yes.” The parent then sent us a message back saying that it was a PE Teacher name O’Donnell who watched a girl change. “What the hell?! This is the first I’ve heard of this,” the parent told us. Apparently based off of this reaction by the parent, a notice was not sent to parents regarding the suspension of Ryan.
According to several sources and parents, who have children that attend New Berlin High School, this is not the only complaint against Ryan. One parent told us that they had to contact The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Hotline regarding the conduct of Ryan towards their child. When we asked if they were contacted by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office or other law enforcement agencies for a follow up, we were told no.
We also spoke with a teacher who works at New Berlin High School. We asked the teacher about Ryan. The teacher told us, “We were not officially told about anything regarding the teacher.”
We also called the New Berlin High School on Friday, January 10, 2020 and asked to be transferred to Ryan O’Donnell. The school secretary told us that he did not come in today. We asked, “Do you know when he will be back?” And the secretary responded that she did not know.
A reporter with Springfield Leaks did attempt to reach Ryan regarding the criminal investigation. A number was not available for Ryan, so a Springfield Leaks reporter did contact Ryan’s mother on her cell phone and as soon as the reporter identified themself, Ryan’s mother hung up.
Many of the complaints that we have heard from dozens of individuals have been regarding the same stories of misconduct towards female students. But, there was one additional complaint that really stuck out. That complaint was that Superintendent, Dr. Ehrman, and New Berlin High School Principal, Llewellyn, didn’t act on any prior complaints regarding Ryan’s conduct towards female students. “They wanted to sweep it all under the rug,” one source said.
Another complaint that we received from several sources was that Ryan dated an 18 year old student last year while she was enrolled in the Lincoln Land Community College’s First Semester Program at New Berlin High School. According to the mission statement of the Lincoln Land First Semester Program, it states, ““First Semester” will provide a college level experience to high school seniors allowing them to earn dual credit, and to develop the necessary readiness and skills for continued post secondary academic success.”
When we asked the New Berlin School District Employee about this complaint, regarding the student enrolled in the Lincoln Land Community College’s First Semester Program, they confirmed it and told us that limited action was taken regarding the inappropriate relationship.
According to Sangamon County Court Records, Ryan has not been charged with a crime, regarding the sexual misconduct complaint. According to Sangamon County Court Records, Ryan has just been arrested twice for driving on suspended driver’s license in September of 2019. One of his tickets, for driving while license suspended, was dismissed and Ryan pleaded guilty and received court supervision for the second driving while license suspended ticket.
At this time, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the sexual misconduct complaint. To preserve the Sheriff’s investigation, we have kept certain details out of this story and will never report the names of minors who are the victims of sexual misconduct.
Stay tuned to Springfield Leaks for updates.
