MORROW COUNTY (MARION COUNTY NOW)— Hillary Malcolm, a former teacher, was sentenced on May 29, 2025, by the Morrow County Common Pleas Court to 180 days in jail, with 60 days suspended. Following the ruling, she was remanded into custody to serve 120 days of unsuspended jail time and placed on two years of community control.
Additionally, Malcolm will register as a Tier I sex offender for 15 years and has had her teaching license permanently revoked.
The Morrow County Prosecutor’s Office, represented by Andrew Wick, stated that the case, initially indicted in March 2024, stemmed from incidents involving minor victims at Cardington Lincoln Local Schools.
The investigation began when a student was found in possession of explicit images of Malcolm, identified through unique fingernail patterns.
Notifications to law enforcement led to an inquiry into Malcolm’s interactions with the victim, which were conducted through the messaging platform Snapchat.
The court heard how the image was deleted by the victim out of fear of repercussions, which complicated the investigation. Due to delays in obtaining necessary evidence from Snapchat, crucial materials could not be recovered, including screenshots of conversations where Malcolm allegedly made sexual advances towards the student.
A secondary victim surfaced in the summer of 2024, but after questioning, that individual denied any solicitation or inappropriate behavior from Malcolm.
Prosecutor Wick expressed regret that, despite credible rumors of other potential victims, no additional evidence had emerged to support further charges.
Wick explained that the charges initially filed included multiple counts of illegal use of minors in nudity-oriented material and attempted sexual battery. However, it was determined that the evidence collected would not meet the high burden of proof required for felony convictions. The prosecution believed that pursuing trial could result in the dismissal of more serious charges and lead to lighter sentences.
“I recognized the gravity of Malcolm’s actions and the need for accountability,” Wick stated in his remarks. “However, under current Ohio law and the evidence at hand, a felony conviction was unlikely.”
Prosecutor Wick emphasized the importance of advocating for legislative changes that would address grooming offenses more robustly, urging residents to contact their state representatives.
The Morrow County Prosecutor’s Office remains committed to addressing and prosecuting crimes against children, urging anyone with pertinent information to report it to local law enforcement.
Wick concluded, “Our priority is to protect vulnerable youth and hold those who exploit them accountable. We encourage victims and witnesses to come forward.” Wick said.