Investigation of ex-Springboro teacher to continue, police say

Detectives may work through late April, sheriff’s office says.

The investigation SPRINGBORO — of a former Springboro teacher accused earlier this month of misconduct could continue into late April, according to Police Chief Jeff Kruithoff.

Kruithoff said school administrators, detectives from the Springboro police department, Warren County Sheriff ’s Office, officers on injury leave and nearby police departments have been assigned to review video going back into 2018, as part of the investigation.

They have already spent more than 500 hours reviewing video of former physical education teacher John Austin Hopkins’ classroom and work area interactions with children as part of the investigation into claims of misconduct involving the teacher, Kruithoff said in a press release.

Hopkins resigned from Springboro Community City Schools on March 12.

No charges have been filed. Tuesday afternoon, Kruithoff

issued an update on the investigation that dealt with the review of video.

“When a student is seen physically interacting with Mr. Hopkins in any manner, the investigators are identifying the student and contacting the parents,” Kruithoff said in the statement. “Parents are being allowed to review the video involving their child and then being offered the opportunity to have their child interviewed,” he said.

The interviews are being performed by trained investigators with the Child Advocacy Center of Warren County. Springboro police detectives are observing those interviews. “It is anticipated that this process will continue for a number of weeks,” Kruithoff said.

Investigators are anticipating that the video review will be completed this week, according to the police chief.

Kruithoff said parents have been given suggested guidelines and talking points to help them talk with their child if the child tells them something happened that made them feel uncomfortable. The chief also is encouraging parents to contact Springboro police if they believe their child is suffering. Once police complete their investigation, the case will be turned over to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office for any determination of criminal charges. Kruithoff said the case would probably be referred to prosecutors in late April.