School employee charged with assault

SANDUSKY — A Sandusky Intermediate School employee was charged after a display of "crazy behavior" on Tuesday sent the school into lockdown, according to a Sandusky police report released on Thursday. Earlier this week, a staff member sent the school into lockdown and was arrested due to "an emotional/medical episode" he was experiencing, superintendent Denny Muratori said. A custodian at the district, Tyler D. Waddington, 33, was removed from the property and charged after the incident. Waddington was charged with: • Inducing panic, a fourth-degree felony • Assault, a fifth-degree felony; The charge was elevated to a felony because the victim was a school administrator, the report states. • Disorderly conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor Building staff's "quick response allowed the situation to de-escalate quickly," Muratori said. "We are grateful for the rapid response and assistance provided by our school resource officer and the Sandusky Police Department." Waddington was told he cannot access or try to access school property, and his keys and security badge were taken. Muratori said Waddington is currently on paid leave, and that status will be reviewed further, which includes the possibility of additional discipline. Emotional support was provided to staff and students. "Situations such as this are a reminder, mental health and the emotional wellness of our children and adults are to be taken seriously," Muratori said. "If you are or know of someone struggling with mental health, seeking help is ok." The incident The incident began with Waddington in the cafeteria and an intervention specialist at the district, crossing the "bridge" above the cafeteria, according to the police report. As she walked, Waddington yelled for her attention. The intervention specialist notified principal Rebecca Romano of the event. Waddington dropped to the floor, yelling and swearing in front of staff and students, the report states. Eventually, he was talked into walking to the janitor's office, but became agitated once he was there. Romano joined Waddington and the staff member who accompanied him to the office. Waddington made comments about being dead, then stared at Romano, repeating her name at her. Romano texted school resource officer Jason Martin for help. Waddington changed his route for a third-grade classroom. This is when officers joined the scene, and the building was placed on lockdown, the report states. That classroom's teacher prevented Waddington from entering the classroom by holding the door handle. Officers found Waddington yelling to see the intervention specialist, who he believed was inside the classroom, and saw him shove a school administrator into the classroom door, according to the report. While leading Waddington to a safe location, he dropped to the floor, making comments about being alive. Officers tried to talk with him, but he was unresponsive and staring off. Eventually, he was taken off the property. Officers asked Waddington if he had taken anything and he mentioned he had taken "DXM." Officers determined he was referring to Dextromethorphan, an over-the-counter cough suppressant, which, in high doses, can cause hallucinations or euphoric states, the report states. Officers spoke with the intervention specialist, who said she and Waddington were not friends and that they only speak when passing in the halls. She added there was an incident in December last year when Waddington made her feel uncomfortable. Waddington is facing additional charges from an incident earlier this year, when he was accused of purposely suffocating a pet dog during an incident in Perkins Township. The canine, named Ollie, died during the incident, according to a separate Perkins police report. After conferring with a prosecutor, it was determined that Waddington would be charged with cruelty to a companion animal, a fifth-degree felony. That case now sits in the Erie County Common Pleas Court, but he has not yet been indicted on any charges. After the Tuesday incident, Waddington was released from the Erie County Jail on bond. He was arraigned on Wednesday, but it is not clear from Sandusky Municipal Court records if he entered a plea. As a condition of his bond, he is ordered to have no contact with the school and cannot access any district grounds. He has a preliminary hearing set for 11 a.m. on June 5.