A Chauncey teen who ran away from home almost two months ago has turned himself in to authorities and is now on probation, the teen's father said.
Jan. 24 Nathan Zuber, 17, walked into the Athens County Sheriff's Office and identified himself, Sheriff Vern Castle said, but did not offer any information about where he had been or why he decided to turn himself in.
A warrant for Nathan's arrest was issued Dec. 1 on charges of unruly child after he ran away from home Nov. 29, his father, Mike Zuber, said.
Since then, his father and local law enforcement officials have had reason to believe Nathan was staying at the home of Susan Bail, 1106 Carriage Hill Drive. A sheriff's deputy said he spotted Nathan there Dec. 30, but Nathan escaped out a side window before he could be arrested, according to reports from the sheriff's office.
Bail has denied all connection with the teen throughout investigation, Castle said, but she was arrested Jan. 17 on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in connection to Nathan's case. Bail's court date is pending.
Nathan was originally facing charges of delinquent disorderly conduct
but his charge was reduced to unruly childat a Jan. 24 juvenile court hearing that followed his appearance at the sheriff's office, according to court records from the Athens County Prosecutor's Office. A charge of unruly child is a minor misdemeanor, a secretary at the prosecutor's office said.
He didn't have any remorse (at the hearing). He just kept denying that he was at Susan's and he said that the sheriff's department and everybody was lying that he was never there
Zuber said. I take it as him trying to protect her.
Nathan is on indefinite probation and must complete 25 hours of community service within 30 days, his father said. If he screws up in the next 30 days
he could go to juvenile detention
Zuber said.
Nathan must also attend mental health counseling sessions, and he must stay away from Susan Bail and two other teens who are very bad news for Nathan
Zuber said.
He pretty much got a slap on the hand
and that was it
Zuber said. Everyone was surprised he didn't get any time (in juvenile detention).
Because he missed almost two months of his junior year at Athens High School, and is no longer eligible to receive a high school diploma, Nathan is attending an alternative high school in Athens so he can work toward getting a GED, his father said.
At the court hearing, Magistrate Jonathan Perrin mandated that Nathan live with his aunt and his uncle for 30 days to give Nathan and his father a cool-down period
Zuber said.
I'm hoping he comes home. My sister and I are not very close
so of course I'd like to have him home
