An Ohio mother is facing criminal charges after her 7-year-old son with autism, initially reported kidnapped, was found dead though police now say the child likely died weeks earlier.
Authorities in Dayton launched a search after the non-verbal, wheelchair-using boy, Hershall Creachbaum, was reported missing July 12, according to People.
His body was found hours later, though officials now believe he had already been dead "for several weeks," Police Chief Kamran Afzal said during a press conference on July 14.
Hershall's mother, Ashley Johnson, has been arrested and charged with obstructing justice and failure to report a death. Police also charged 38-year-old Michael Kendrick with tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse. Kendrick had placed the 911 call that initially reported the child missing, Afzal said.
While the current charges are preliminary, Afzal emphasized that more serious counts are likely as the investigation continues and forensic results come in. "Our endgame is to have a lot more serious charges," he said.
The boy's sister, who also lived in the home, has been placed in protective custody under the supervision of child welfare services.
Originally published on Latin Times
