FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEASHLAND COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY CHRISTOPHER R. TUNNELL ANNOUNCES INDICTMENTAGAINST LOUDONVILLE MAN FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE
Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell announced a Grand Jury has issued a nine count Indictment against Robert Shane Haudenschild, age 35 of Loudonville following an extensive investigation into allegations he sexually abused two female children aged 13 and 15. Charges include endangering children, corrupting another with drugs, rape, disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, sexual battery, importuning, and gross sexual imposition. Haudenschild faces a maximum indefinite prison term of thirty-nine to forty-four and a half years (39-44.5) if convicted of all the charges. Each count in the indictment alleges the offense occurred over a period of months and as part of a course of conduct in various Ohio counties, West Virginia and Kentucky.
Prosecutor Tunnell explained, “The State alleges that the victims, the 15-year-old in particular, were subjected to multiple instances of abuse, over a period of time. The Defendant is further alleged to have travelled with his victims while continuing to abuse them. The result is offenses occurring in multiple jurisdictions. Ohio law allows, in certain circumstances, for one jurisdiction to consolidate charges which are alleged to have occurred as part of a course of conduct.” The investigation was led by Sgt. Sean Gorrell of the Loudonville Police Department and involved multiple agencies which included the Loudonville Police Department, Ashland County Department of Job and Family Services, Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, and Ashland Police Department.
Tunnell added, “Every instance of child abuse is a tragedy and this situation is no exception. Ashland County citizens, however, should take heart that the coordination and team work between agencies is outstanding. We can’t always prevent these situations, but the men and women charged with protecting our children have, and will, put the work in to bring perpetrators to justice.” Robert Shane Haudenschild is innocent until proven guilty. He has plead not guilty and is scheduled for trial in the Ashland County Court of Common Pleas on March 21, 2023.