7-year-old dead for weeks before being reported missing; mother, boyfriend charged

DAYTON, Ohio (WHIO) – An Ohio mother and her boyfriend are facing charges in connection with the death of her 7-year-old son, who had autism and cerebral palsy. Police say the boy was dead for several weeks before he was reported missing.

Michael Kendrick, 38, was arraigned Tuesday on charges related to the death of 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum Jr., who had autism and cerebral palsy and was nonverbal. His bond was set at $2 million.

Kendrick’s girlfriend is Hershall’s biological mother, 36-year-old Ashley Johnson. She is also facing charges related to the death of her son.

Authorities recovered the remains of 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum Jr., who had autism and... — Authorities recovered the remains of 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum Jr., who had autism and cerebral palsy. They say the boy was dead for several weeks before he was reported missing.(Source: WHIO via CNN)

“He [Hershall] didn’t deserve what he got at all. He didn’t deserve it,” said Jessica McNier, Hershall’s great-aunt, outside the courtroom. “I want justice. They both need to be sent to prison.”

Kendrick called 911 in the early hours of Saturday morning, claiming Hershall had been kidnapped. Later that day, court documents say Kendrick led investigators to the boy’s remains, which were found not far from his home on Xenia Avenue in Dayton.

Police confirmed Monday that Hershall had been dead for several weeks.

Court documents show Kendrick admitted that while Johnson was in the hospital in late May, he hit Hershall twice, pushed him down, then hid his body when he died the next day. He also admitted to moving the boy’s remains several times.

“He [Hershall] was the highlight of my life,” said Hershall’s father, Hershall Creachbaum Sr., at a vigil for his son Monday. “I just can’t wrap my head around why anybody would want to kill him.”

Family members say they had been concerned about Hershall for months. According to police, Montgomery County Children Services did have a case open related to the boy at one point, but it was not open when his remains were found.

“He was being neglected and abused, and CPS failed him,” said Missy Creachbaum, the boy’s great-aunt.

Those who knew Hershall from Ruskin Elementary say he was loved at school.

“He was one of the sweetest, brightest children I’ve ever met in my life,” paraprofessional Jenny Davy said. “He couldn’t talk, but he expressed himself in a lot of ways, and he was really loved at school. He had friends in every classroom.”

If Kendrick posts bond, he’ll be placed on house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor.

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