COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens is calling for state Rep. Bob Young to resign following an alleged domestic violence incident involving the Summit County Republican.
Barberton Municipal Court records show county sheriff's deputies arrested a Robert F. Young III sometime this past Friday. 3News has confirmed the defendant's North Canton address is the same one listed for the state representative in his campaign filings.
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According to the docket, Young was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor after "knowingly caus[ing], or attempt[ing] to cause physical harm" to an unknown victim. He appeared in court Saturday and was issued a $5,000 bond.
Few details are known about the case. However, in a statement issued Sunday afternoon, Stephens said he attended a fundraiser with Young on the same day and went to the representative's home for a couple of hours afterward. The speaker contends he eventually left and spent the night at a hotel, and was not present when the incident allegedly occurred.
"I was disappointed and shocked to hear what allegedly transpired sometime after I had left the Young house," Stephens added. "Although I believe that people are innocent until proven guilty, I asked Bob for his resignation as state representative so he can focus on his family at this time."
Young, who lives in Green and currently represents much of southern Summit County in the 32nd District, was first elected to the Statehouse in 2020 after defeating Democratic challenger Matt Shaughnessy by less than 3,000 votes. Ironically, the 41-year-old helped play a role in Stephens becoming speaker, as he and 21 other Republicans bucked a majority of their own party to join all Democrats in electing Stephens over the more conservative Derek Merrin.
WKYC has reached out to both Young and the Summit County Sheriff's office but has not heard back. The GOP currently holds a supermajority in the Ohio House, and should Young step aside, local party members would select a replacement to finish out the remainder of his two-year-term.