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HYDE PARK - Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters is investigating whether any criminal activity might have occurred stemming from an out-of-town incident last month involving members of the elite Summit Country Day boys’ soccer team.

“We have sent out an investigator and a prosecutor to see what they have, and we’re going to review it and make a decision as to whether to proceed from there,” Deters told The Enquirer. “The school has been very cooperative. They are not attempting to cover their behinds.”

Three members of Summit’s boys’ soccer team have withdrawn from the school, and eight others were suspended for at least one game last week after an incident occurred in a hotel room in Philadelphia, where the team was playing on Aug. 30-31.

Details have not been confirmed. Deters said improper hazing may have been involved.

The prosecutor said Ohio laws are so broad that even though any incident occurred in Philadelphia, he could have jurisdiction.

“This was a school event involving a Hamilton County school, and all the kids are here in Hamilton County … there is no doubt we have venue,” Deters said. He said he could have a decision on whether to pursue the case within 10-14 days.

Deters’ action follows earlier police inquiries and reports to child welfare agencies, The Enquirer has learned.

School officials acknowledged the suspensions but declined to discuss any other disciplinary action on Thursday. Summit spokeswoman Nancy Berlier confirmed that the school met with officers from the Cincinnati Police Department on Friday, and made reports to the “appropriate” county child protective services agencies.

“Last week, we determined that some misbehavior had occurred during an out-of-town boys’ soccer trip that was a violation of our code of conduct,” Berlier said in a prepared statement. “We took appropriate disciplinary action. Disciplinary actions regarding students are a confidential matter, and we will not discuss the details.

“We also informed proper authorities. We stand ready to cooperate fully with them should they decide to pursue the incident any further. We respect the privacy of these students, who are minors now coping with unwanted media attention, and request that others respect the privacy of these students as well.”

Cincinnati Police Capt. Jeffrey Butler Jr., who commands District 2, said he sent officers to the exclusive private Hyde Park school after receiving several complaints about the alleged incident. But he said that since it didn’t happen inside the city limits, he couldn’t continue an investigation.

“We spoke with school officials, and confirmed that there was no incident that would involve the city of Cincinnati’s jurisdiction, at which time we closed our involvement,” Butler said.

Officials with the Philadelphia Police Department said no reports of a crime had been filed there, and no investigation is underway.

By state law, teachers and administrators at public and private schools are compelled to report suspicions or legitimate accounts of abuse, whether it’s between students or by adults.

Berlier confirmed the one-game suspension for the eight players for last Thursday’s game. Private schools routinely allow students with disciplinary issues to withdraw rather than expel them.

Officials with the children’s protective service agencies in Hamilton County declined comment and would not confirm or deny any reports, citing privacy concerns. Warren County officials said they had not received any reports.

Officials from Butler and Clermont counties did not return messages seeking comment.

Summit is a private K-12 Catholic school not affiliated with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Annual high school tuition ranges between $19,000 and $20,000.

The school has long had one of the region’s best boys’ soccer programs, winning the last two Division III Ohio championships and consistently making playoff appearances. The team is currently 4-2 and next plays Saturday at home.

Parents of team members reached by The Enquirer declined comment or did not return messages. The Enquirer is withholding the names of those who left the school and the suspended students because they are minors and no criminal charges have been brought.●