From The Toledo Blade, 3/25/06:
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060325/NEWS03/603250405/0/NEWS01
Official indicted on menacing allegation
Commissioner accused of chasing Toledo teen
By MARK REITER
BLADE STAFF WRITER
An indictment against Henry County Commissioner Steven A. Baden was
filed yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court for an incident in
January involving a 14-year-old girl.
Mr. Baden, 39, of Hamler, Ohio, was indicted on one count of menacing
by stalking, a fourth-degree felony that carries a maximum possible
sentence of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine upon conviction.
He is accused of following a girl who was walking in her South Toledo
neighborhood on the afternoon of Jan. 31.
Authorities said he drove up to her, got out of his vehicle, and
called, "Come here, little girl," before chasing her for a short time
on foot.
The grand jury, which was presented with evidence in the case on
Thursday afternoon, also was asked to indict Mr. Baden on a charge of
attempt to commit abduction.
But the panel didn't return an indictment.
Mr. Baden, a Republican, is a former Hamler mayor.
He has been a commissioner since 2003, when he was appointed to
replace Richard Bertz, who resigned because of ill health.
Toledo attorney Richard Hasbrook, who represents Mr. Baden, said his
client will not resign from his elected position.
"He is not going to resign as commissioner. He intends to fulfill the
duties of his office," he said.
Mr. Baden was arrested Feb. 8 and led out of the commissioners' office
in Napoleon in handcuffs.
Toledo police who investigated the girl's accusations charged him with
attempted abduction.
Lori Olender, an assistant county prosecutor, said the charge handed
up by the grand jury was more reflective of the alleged incident
because the victim was not touched or grabbed.
Police said Mr. Baden was in his red Mustang in the area of Baden
Street and Walbridge Avenue and drove around the block four or five
times while the girl and a friend were walking home from school.
The victim went to her home, and later left to walk to a friend's
home.
She said she was walking in the parking lot of the nearby Broadway
Food Center, where Mr. Baden got out of his car, authorities said.
_______________________________________________________
Goodness. This seems to be a Republican disease.
Harry
.
|
