James Hutchinson case: Mom pleads guilty to murder in death of 6-year-old son

BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio (TCD) -- A mother who ran over her son and dumped his body with concrete blocks in the Ohio River pleaded guilty to killing him.

According to the Hamilton Journal-News, Brittany Gosney entered a guilty plea for charges of murder and two counts of child endangerment.  The 13 other charges against her — including abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and abduction — were dropped.

WDTN-TV reports Judge Noah Powers said in court Gosney could face 15 years to life for the murder charge and 36 months for each child endangerment charge.

Gosney and her boyfriend James Hamilton were arrested in February by the Middletown Police Department. Gosney reported Hutchinson missing on February 28, then reportedly said the 6-year-old was killed in Preble County.

The Cincinnati Enquirer, citing court documents, reported in March Gosney and Hamilton allegedly hog-tied her three kids and put cloths in their mouths "for several hours" before Hutchinson was killed.

According to the Hamilton Journal-News, Gosney and Hamilton took her kids to Rush Run Wild Life Area in Preble County on February 26. Gosney and Hamilton reportedly drove off, leaving the three kids at the park. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Hutchinson ran after the car but fell and fatally hit his head.

Gosney and Hamilton reportedly kept Hutchinson’s body in their house for 48 hours before driving to the Ohio River and throwing his body in, which was tied with concrete blocks, according to the Hamilton Journal-News. His body has not yet been recovered.

WLWT-TV reports Hamilton allegedly pressured Gosney to abandon her three children. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Butler County Children’s Services has custody of her other two kids.

Gosney reportedly tried pleading guilty by reason of insanity in March, but the Cincinnati Enquirer reports a psychologist deemed her competent to stand trial.

Gosney is scheduled to be sentenced September 13.

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