Aunt and Boyfriend Facing Charges in Death of 9-month-old Baby at Washington Twp. Camp
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (EYT) – Charges have been filed in connection with the death of 9-month-old boy at a Clarion County camp in August 2013.
Authorities say Kelly Hemminger, 22, and Chad Chadwick, 22, both of Ashtabula, Ohio, were arrested Monday by the Pennsylvania State Police in connection with the death of 9-month-old Zeke Hamilton.
Marienville-based State Police originally reported that Zeke Hamilton was in critical condition after he was allegedly assaulted during a Labor Day celebration at a seasonal residence along Marble-Strobleton Road, in Washington Township, Clarion County.
The baby suffered serious injuries to his chest, limbs, and head sometime between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on August 31, according to police.
According to sources, the infant’s parents, both of Geneva, Ohio, entrusted their three children, (including Zeke Hamilton who was 6 months old at the time) to go on an overnight camp-out along Marble-Strobleton Road with Hemminger and Chadwick over Labor Day weekend.
When the baby’s grandfather went to pick up the children, he found Zeke unresponsive in his car seat, sources say.
He was taken to UPMC Northwest in Seneca by a family member and then transferred to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, police say.
At that time, police reported the incident as an Aggravated Assault.
Zeke remained in critical condition and was moved to a hospice unit shortly before he died on November 15, according to sources.
Following an investigation and results from the medical examiner’s report, Hemminger and Chadwick were taken into custody.
Hemminger and Chadwick are being housed in the Ashtabula County Jail in lieu of $1,000,000 cash bail.
Both face extradition hearings on February 20.
Additional information is expected to be released tomorrow afternoon at a joint press conference being held by the Clarion County District Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police.
Source: Clarion County District Attorney’s Office, PA State Police, Star Beacon
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