Cantrell to serve 18 months for child endangering
By Bob Robinson

GREENVILLE – Darke County Common Pleas Judge Jonathan Hein sentenced Cody R. Cantrell, 21, Greenville, to 18 months in prison for each of two Endangering Children charges, both Felony 3 offenses. The sentences are to be served concurrently. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charges after having been indicted by the Grand Jury for felonious assault and child abuse, both Felony 2 offenses.

Cantrell was arrested on Dec. 21 after his two-week old baby went to Dayton Children’s Medical Center allegedly with broken legs, a broken arm, swelling and bleeding on the brain, bleeding on the spine and facial bruising.

While the F3 charges did not presume prison was necessary, Hein said the sentencing factors were “more serious;” a result of reckless conduct. Cantrell was ordered to pay $46,800 in medical expenses and will be subject to 36 months of post release control after completing his prison time. He noted Cantrell had no prior record, there was no permanent damage to the baby, and because the parents had agreed to give the child up for adoption, there was no future risk to the child.

Hein said society has been split in how it values life: those who didn’t put a value on it and those who did. “Either way I go with this I’m going to be wrong” from the perspective of one of these groups. “My purpose here is to punish the crime and deter others.”

Darke County Prosecuting Attorney R. Kelly Ormsby called the case “troubling” as the baby was only two weeks old when it was brought to the hospital. He noted Cantrell’s versions of what happened changed from acknowledging he treated the baby roughly to it was some kind of fall.

“What is chilling is he let the child suffer for three days” before getting treatment for it. “He clearly treated the child roughly,” Ormsby continued, adding he failed to provide reasonable protection. “This is so serious it has to result in a prison sentence; the court has to send a message this cannot be tolerated.”

Defense attorney Randall E. Breaden said his client was at low risk for re-offending, no drug problems, no history. He added medical testimony was not conclusive; it was conflicting. He allowed there were fractures and bruising.

“Cody is guilty of failure to immediately report the injury, but the injuries were not immediately apparent.” He and Chelsea had never been around an infant child before. Breaden added. They were struggling with that. They had voluntarily agreed to give the child up for adoption. “He never pleaded to intentionally hurting the child… I do not believe this requires prison.”

Cantrell said it was a very stressful time and admitted he panicked. “I only wish I’d said something sooner.”

The mother, Chelsea Hartman, also arrested on Dec. 21, was charged with one count of Felony 3 Child Endangering. Her case is scheduled for trial in February.

Published courtesy of the Early Bird