Bellaire Mayor Robert Dodrill reads a proclamation reaffirming the community’s commitment to child safety during Thursday’s Bellaire Village Council meeting. The measure came after the arrest of Bellaire High School teacher and coach Shawn Valloric on child pandering charges. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

BELLAIRE — The Bellaire Village Council passed a proclamation Thursday night reinforcing the community’s commitment to child safety following the recent arrest of a local teacher and longtime track coach on child pandering charges.

“It’s a formal proclamation reaffirming the protection of children and strengthening community responsibility,” Mayor Robert Dodrill said before reading the proclamation during council’s regular meeting.

The proclamation sent a clear message that protecting children must remain a priority for the village, its schools and the broader community. The measure emphasized the importance of vigilance, reporting suspected abuse and supporting law enforcement efforts that safeguard minors.

The action came on the same day Bellaire High School track coach Shawn Valloric appeared in court for a preliminary hearing to face 14 counts of felony pandering obscenity involving a minor. The case was bound over to the April grand jury in Belmont County Common Pleas Court.

Valloric, 49, Bellaire, was taken into custody last week following an investigation by the Bellaire Police Department, Belmont County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Authorities said the investigation began after law enforcement received information indicating suspected child sexual abuse material had been shared online.

Bellaire Police Chief J.J. Watson clarified it was his department that received the initial call from the task force regarding Valloric’s alleged crimes. His department then “reached out to the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office to utilize their services” of its investigative team.

“Bellaire PD is currently investigating the school teacher Mr. Shawn Valloric,” Watson said. “There was a little bit of a misconception going around out there. We were the first department contacted on this. It happened in our village. We got the first call and we followed protocol.”

Neither village officials nor Watson discussed details of the criminal case, but the proclamation underscored the need for continued awareness and accountability when it comes to protecting children.

The measure encouraged parents, educators and community members to remain alert to signs of abuse and to report concerns to law enforcement.

Officials said the resolution – which also called for justice through the court system for victims of abuse and exploitation – was meant to affirm Bellaire’s commitment to creating a safe environment for children and to stand with families affected by crimes against minors.

Valloric remains in the Belmont County jail. His bond has been set at $150,000.

Authorities have urged anyone with additional information related to the investigation to contact law enforcement.