Two people have been arrested in connection with the abuse and death of a 2-year-old Ohio child.
The child’s mother, Tien Hawkins, 25, and her 23-year-old boyfriend, Brian Moser, formerly known as Terry Smith III, were arrested in connection with Hawkins’ child’s death, according to WCPO.
Adams County sheriff’s deputies initially had Hawkins in custody after the death of her 2-year-old, but released her due to a lack of direct connection to the child’s death.
After further investigation, police arrested Hawkins on eight charges related to her child’s death and the abuse of her other two children, ages 1 and 5, according to court records cited by WCPO.
Hawkins has been indicted on one count of murder, one count of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of permitting child abuse, and two counts of endangering children.
“The mother was permitting this abuse to go on. She knew about it, and she allowed it to continue. I can’t comment any more specifically on the facts, but that’s why you see permitting child abuse charges for the mother and not for Moser,” Adams County Prosecutor Aaron Haslam said, as reported by Local 12.
Moser is in custody and is charged with involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in connection with the death of the 2-year-old and the abuse of the other two children in the home.
On July 1, Moser called 911 around 9 a.m. from the Timber Ridge Apartment Complex in West Union. When deputies arrived, they found an unresponsive child. Haslam said it was reported that CPR was being attempted by the adults when they called 911.
Despite emergency responders’ efforts, the child died at the scene. The preliminary cause of death was listed as asphyxiation.
Officials also expressed concern for the other two children in the home. The children showed noticeable signs of “injuries consistent with abuse” and were taken into custody by Adams County Children’s Services.
Tien Hawkins’ bond was set at $500,000 after she was arraigned on Friday at the Adams County Court, according to the Messenger.
[Feature Photo: Tien Hawkins and Brian Moser/Adams County Jail]
