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New footage shows social worker's response after sexually abusing 13-year-old boy
Newly released police interrogation footage shows how an Ohio social worker responded after she was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy she had been counseling.
Payton Shires, who had worked as a counselor with the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP), was arrested in October 2023 after the boy's mother discovered disturbing messages on his phone.
During police questioning, the then-24-year-old said she wanted an attorney and asked police what charges she was facing, while investigators warned her against contacting the boy or his family.
Despite that warning, she was arrested again just three weeks later after allegedly threatening the boy's mother with a firearm.
In 2024, Shires pleaded guilty to four counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, two counts of intimidation, and inducing panic.
She was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison and was transferred from the Franklin County Jail to the Ohio Reformatory for Women, FOX 28 reported.
Mother discovered disturbing messages on her son's phone
Shires met the 13-year-old male victim while working as a counselor with NYAP.
In late September, the 13-year-old's mother discovered text messages on his phone from the social worker that led her to believe that inappropriate interactions were taking place between Shires and her son.
She reported the messages to the Columbus police, prompting an investigation.
According to court records, a forensic evaluation of the boy's phone revealed additional text messages and a video of Shires and the boy engaging in sexual conduct.
As part of the investigation, the boy's mother also participated in a controlled, recorded three-way telephone call during which Shires admitted to the conduct.
Police arrested Shires on October 6, 2023. She was married and had a child at the time.
Interrogation footage captures Shires requesting a lawyer
The police interrogation footage shows Shires seated across from investigators as they question her about her background and professional qualifications.
She confirms that she earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Ohio State University and was a licensed social worker.
Shires then requests an attorney and provides a few further answers, although she asks investigators to explain the charges against her.
Officers inform her that she is facing a felony charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and direct her to the arrest warrant.
They explain that they cannot discuss the allegations in detail without her attorney present.
At another point in the recording, Shires was sitting with her arms crossed and nodding when officers explicitly warned her not to contact the boy or his family, explaining that doing so could lead to additional charges for witness intimidation.
However, Shires would soon face further legal trouble after allegedly disregarding that warning.
Social worker arrested again after allegedly threatening the victim's mother with a gun
Despite being released on a $50,000 bond, Shires was arrested again on October 27 after showing up at the victim's home with a gun, violating several conditions of her pretrial release.
Per The Columbus Dispatch, Shires confronted the boy's mother and accused her of ruining her life by reporting the abuse to the police.
She also allegedly threatened to kill the woman before taking her own life.
The confrontation led to additional charges of intimidating a victim or witness and inducing panic.
Shires apologizes in court as victim's mother describes devastating impact
During her 2024 sentencing hearing, Shires addressed the court and apologized to the victim and his family for the harm she caused them.
She also acknowledged the actions of the boy's mother, whose intervention had brought the abuse to the attention of authorities.
"She saved my life," Shires said, adding that she felt horrible for the pain she caused. "I was not thinking rationally."
The boy's mother also submitted a statement that was read aloud in court, describing the profound impact the abuse had on her son and their family.
She said Shires' actions had shattered her trust in the system that was supposed to protect vulnerable children, describing the experience as having a "devastating impact."
"Instead, he was manipulated, groomed and sexually abused by Ms. Shires," the woman's statement said. "I regret I ever let you in my house."
Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark Serrott said he believed Shires had genuine remorse but emphasized the seriousness of her betrayal of professional trust.
"He was a child," Serrott said. "He was trying to get the help he needed."
The judge also expressed disappointment over statements Shires had made during a pre-sentence investigation, in which she suggested that the boy had attempted to coerce or blackmail her into further sexual conduct.
"You're the adult," the judge said. "You're trained professionally to avoid situations like this."