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Zanesville preschool teacher charged in rape of 10-year-old

The preschool teacher faces one count of rape.
Shelly Schultz, Zanesville Times Recorder

ZANESVILLE — A CareyTown teacher has been charged with raping a 10-year-old.

At approximately 4 p.m. Thursday, the Zanesville Police Department executed a warrant in the 2100 block of Whitman Avenue, where they took Derek Shaffer, 28, into custody.

Shaffer has been charged in Muskingum County Common Pleas with one count of rape of a child under 10.

Shaffer is currently being held in the Zanesville City Jail on a $1 million bond.

CareyTown, located at 527 Pershing Road, is a preschool that offers child care as well, according to its website.

Assistant prosecutor Ron Welch said CareyTown was aware of the investigation but still allowed Shaffer, who has worked there for about 10 years, access to children in his job.

"An immediate arrest was necessary," Welch said.

CareyTown officials refused to comment, referring instead to a statement published on social media stating they were cooperating with authorities.

Welch said rape of a child under 10 is a first-degree felony and carries a sentence of life in prison.

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