ITHACA, N.Y. — The case of the Cayuga Heights teacher and firefighter accused of having inappropriate actions with a child that were allegedly sexual in nature, has been moved from the Lansing Court to Ithaca City Court after two judges recused themselves from the case.
Ryan Harrington is currently facing one charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
According to court documents that include statements from the child and parents, Harrington demonstrated to a young boy how to masturbate using hand gestures and objects. He also is accused of having inappropriate sexually explicit conversations with the boy. The behavior lasted over an extended period of time and was reported to the police by the boy’s parents after the child informed them of the behaviors.
Related — Lansing records: Firefighter, teacher accused of sexually explicit acts with boy
Two judges from Lansing, W. David Banfield and John Howell recused themselves from the case. It’s currently scheduled to be heard at Ithaca City Court in front of Judge Scott Miller.
In court Friday, Harrington pleaded not guilty to endangering the welfare of child, with his attorney James Baker present.
Assistant District Attorney Diane Lama applied for an extended order of protection for the boy and a family member, which includes no attempts to contact the two people through a third part, something Lama said Harrington had attempted. Miller granted the request.
In a written statement from the Ithaca City School District, Human Resources Director Robert VanKeuren said, “Mr. Harrington is on non-disciplinary, paid, administrative leave pending the outcome of the court proceeding. He performs no duties for the district and has no contact with students.”