Prosecutor wants to dismiss teacher's sex case

NORWALK — The Huron County prosecutor's office wants to dismiss the criminal charges against a Monroeville Schools teacher accused of having sex with a student. The state filed a motion Tuesday, seeking to drop the case against Holly Bauer, 42, of Monroeville, which includes multiple felony sex charges and allegations of sexual relations with an underage child she taught through her role as a social studies instructor. "Grounds for so moving are that further investigation is needed before the state can further proceed in this matter," county prosecutor James Sitterly wrote in the motion. The judge presiding in the case, James Conway, has yet to rule on the motion and would need to approve it in order for the case to be dismissed. The state requested that the case be dismissed "without prejudice," meaning the charges could be refiled at a later date. Bauer was placed on paid leave pending the criminal case. It was not immediately clear how her employment would be affected if the charges were dropped. She is under indictment on the following charges: • Five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, each a third-degree felony • Four counts of sexual battery, each a third-degree felony • Three counts of rape, each a first-degree felony • Two counts of failure to comply with underage alcohol laws, each a first-degree misdemeanor • One count of burglary, a second-degree felony • One count of trespass, a fourth-degree felony Note: Check back at sanduskyregister.com, norwalkreflector.com and in the Thursday Register and Reflector print editions for more on this developing news story.