Tag Page MuskingumCounty

🚨 FORMER MUSKINGUM COUNTY CASEWORKER PLEADS GUILTY TO TAMPERING WITH RECORDS 🚨 A former Muskingum County Adult and Children Protective Services employee has pleaded guilty to felony charges after investigators uncovered falsified records and deceptive conduct tied to her employment. ⚠️ Ashley Steele entered guilty pleas on June 3, 2026, to two counts of tampering with records and one count of attempted tampering with records. The case began earlier this year when a Muskingum County grand jury indicted Steele on 11 counts of tampering with government records. According to court records, investigators determined Steele obtained her position by falsely stating she had no criminal history. When a background check revealed otherwise, she allegedly claimed her record had been expunged and submitted a forged court document to support that claim. Investigators later confirmed that the Guernsey County Court of Common Pleas had denied her request to seal her record and that prosecutors had opposed the motion. 💔 An internal review of Steele’s work also revealed that she allegedly falsified records involving client contacts and family visits—information relied upon by child-protective teams responsible for monitoring the safety and welfare of children. Prosecutor Welch called the conduct “disgraceful,” stating that Steele was entrusted with gathering information affecting children and caregivers but instead provided false information. Authorities said investigators found no evidence that children were placed in immediate danger as a result of the falsified reports. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of four years and 11 months in prison. Several remaining charges were dismissed for now but could be refiled if Steele violates the terms of the agreement. #BreakingNews #OhioNews #TrueCrime #ChildProtectiveServices #MuskingumCounty #CrimeNews Source: Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office

🚨 MYSTERY BODY PULLED FROM MUSKINGUM RIVER — INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY 🚨 Duncan Falls, Ohio — Authorities are investigating after a body was found floating in the Muskingum River on April 22. 👉 Discovered near the dam 👉 Recovered around 5 p.m. Sheriff Matt Lutz says: 👉 Identity unknown 👉 Possible lead being pursued ⚠️ Investigation ongoing #BreakingNews #Ohio #MuskingumCounty #TrueCrime Source: Times Recorder | Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office

FORMER MUSKINGUM COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES WORKER INDICTED ON 11 FELONY COUNTS A former Muskingum County Children Services employee is now facing 11 third-degree felony charges for alleged record tampering. Ashley Steele, 37, of Senecaville, was terminated immediately after the agency says it discovered falsified documentation during a routine internal review. Law enforcement was notified right away. According to the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office, the charges include: ▪️ 10 counts of allegedly falsifying official case reports while working as a counselor ▪️ 1 count tied to allegedly submitting a fraudulent document during her hiring process, claiming a prior conviction had been sealed Officials are calling this a serious breach of public trust — especially within an agency responsible for protecting vulnerable children. Executive Director Candace Emmert confirmed the agency conducted an internal investigation, determined multiple reports were falsified, and immediately terminated Steele before referring the matter to law enforcement. Specific details about the altered reports have not yet been released. More information is expected as the case moves forward in court. As always, all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. #MuskingumCounty #Zanesville #OhioCrime #RecordTampering #PublicTrust #TrueCrime #BreakingNews

💔 TRAGEDY ON STATE ROUTE 60: THREE LIVES LOST IN MUSKINGUM COUNTY CRASH A devastating head-on collision on State Route 60 in Wayne Township has left three people dead. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 3:08 p.m. on February 14 when a southbound 2010 Mercury Milan crossed left of center and struck a northbound 2025 Honda CR-V. The 18-year-old driver of the Mercury was pronounced dead at the scene. Two passengers from the Honda — sisters from Newark, ages 29 and 22 — were transported to Genesis Hospital, where they later died from their injuries. The driver’s condition has not been released. Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, ODOT, and local fire and EMS units. This loss is being felt deeply in Newark and Duncan Falls. A mass for the sisters is scheduled for February 21 in Granville. Hug your people a little tighter tonight. Hashtags: #MuskingumCounty #NewarkOhio #DuncanFalls #OhioCrash #Route60 #CommunityStrong #BreakingNews