Former Ohio Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing 2 Students

Chad Kendall admitted to grooming and abusing two high school students over multiple years.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:35am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled school ID badge or student hall pass, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the serious, investigative nature of this crime.The harsh flash of a camera captures the stark, gritty details of a discarded school ID, a symbol of the violation of trust between teacher and student.Akron Today

Chad Kendall, a 37-year-old former teacher at Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual battery for the sexual abuse of two of his students over multiple years when they were between the ages of 16 and 17.

Why it matters

This case highlights the devastating impact that teacher sexual abuse can have on students, as well as the importance of students feeling empowered to come forward about such crimes. It also raises questions about school policies and oversight to prevent these types of incidents.

The details

According to prosecutors, Kendall groomed and engaged in an unlawful sexual relationship with one student between 2022 and 2025. He also began grooming a second, younger student during the same time period. The two students later discovered each other and compared their experiences, realizing Kendall had used nearly identical grooming tactics on both of them. They then reported the abuse to the school.

  • Kendall's abuse of the first student occurred between 2022 and 2025.
  • Kendall began grooming the second student during the same time period as the abuse of the first student.

The players

Chad Kendall

A 37-year-old former teacher at Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Ohio who pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual battery for the sexual abuse of two of his students.

Elliott Kolkovich

The Summit County Prosecutor who stated that exploiting a student's trust to groom, manipulate, and abuse them is 'despicable'.

Archbishop Hoban High School

The Akron, Ohio high school where Kendall taught and abused his students.

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What they’re saying

“Students should be safe at school. They should be able to trust their teachers. Exploiting that trust to groom, manipulate, and abuse young students is despicable.”

— Elliott Kolkovich, Summit County Prosecutor

What’s next

Kendall is scheduled to be sentenced at 11 a.m. on May 19.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need for stronger safeguards and oversight in schools to protect students from predatory teachers who abuse their positions of trust. It also underscores the bravery of the victims who came forward to report the abuse, potentially preventing further harm to other students.