Henry County commissioner Indicted

3/24/2006

An indictment against Henry County Commissioner Steven A. Baden, who is accused of stalking a teenage girl in her South Toledo neighborhood, was filed today in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Mr. Baden, 39, of Hamler where he is a former mayor was indicted on one count of menacing by stalking, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. He will be arraigned at a later date in Common Pleas Court. A hearing has not been scheduled.

Authorities have accused Mr. Baden of following a 14-year-old girl who was walking in South Toledo on the afternoon of Jan. 31. He allegedly drove up to her, got out of his vehicle, and called "Come here little girl," before chasing her for a short time on foot.

Mr. Baden was arrested Feb. 8 and led out of the commissioners office in handcuffs. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 18 months in prison and fined $5,000.

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