A tragic case of neglect and abuse in Dayton, Ohio, has led to the arrest of a mother and her boyfriend in connection with the death of a 7-year-old boy, whose remains were found near their home.
The boy, Hershall Creachbaum, had nonverbal autism and used a wheelchair. His death, which had occurred weeks before he was reported missing, has shocked his family and the community.
The Startling Timeline
On Saturday, a call was made to Dayton Police reporting that 7-year-old Hershall had gone missing. Michael Kendrick, 39, the boyfriend of Hershall’s mother, Ashley H. Johnson, 36, told authorities that the boy was nowhere to be found.
However, after an immediate search, police discovered the remains of a child less than half a mile from the family’s home. It didn’t take long for investigators to confirm that the remains were indeed those of Hershall.
As the search for Hershall’s disappearance continued, it became apparent that he hadn’t been seen for weeks. During questioning, Johnson told police that her son had died while she was recovering from surgery in late May. However, further investigation revealed even more disturbing details.
A Shocking Admission
Kendrick initially claimed that Hershall had passed away from natural causes. However, as investigators pressed him further, he confessed to a far more sinister account of the events.
According to police, Kendrick admitted to physically abusing Hershall, stating that he had punched the child, then pushed him down, causing him to hit other parts of his body. Kendrick further revealed that Hershall died in the shower.
Instead of seeking help, Kendrick kept Hershall’s body in the house until it began to smell. He then placed the boy’s remains in a freezer and later stuffed them into a suitcase.
Kendrick reportedly disposed of the suitcase in a grassy field near train tracks. Weeks later, he returned to the disposal site, put the boy’s remains in a bag, and left them at the location where they were eventually found.
Family Concerns and Police Involvement
Family members had voiced concerns about Hershall for months. Relatives revealed that Hershall had previously been in the custody of his paternal grandmother but was returned to his mother’s care after she was injured in a car accident. Montgomery County Children Services had been involved with the family and had taken custody of Hershall’s sister.
At the time of the tragic discovery, neither Johnson nor Kendrick had been charged with murder, although both faced serious charges. Johnson was arrested on charges of failure to report a death and obstructing justice and was held on a $2,000 bond.
Kendrick was charged with three counts of tampering with evidence and one count of abuse of a corpse. While murder, child endangerment, and assault charges were listed, Kendrick has not yet been formally charged with those offenses. He is being held without bond.
The Aftermath and Community Reaction
This horrific incident has left the Dayton community reeling. The abuse and neglect of a vulnerable child are deeply disturbing, and the fact that Hershall’s death went unreported for so long raises difficult questions about the role of family members and authorities in his care.
The investigation continues as more details about the case are expected to emerge.
The death of 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of neglect and abuse. As authorities work to bring justice for this innocent child, the case has brought attention to the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of children, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
