Ohio couple charged after infant's decomposed body found in barn
04/06/2018 11:26 am PDT
via KRON:
DEFIANCE COUNTY, Ohio -- (KRON/WANE) -- Court documents indicate a man and woman failed to provide emergency care to their baby as it struggled to breathe.
Jared C. Stark, 33, and 35-year-old Sarah C. Clark of Hicksville, Ohio are facing felony charges after police discovered the infant's body last week.
The Defiance County Sheriff's Department said the child was born inside the couple's Arrowsmith Road home on Oct. 29, 2016, but died 10 hours later.
It's not clear what led investigators to the home on March 28 when the baby's body was discovered.
The Starks are believed to be the baby's parents, according to court documents.
Court documents said Jared Stark moved the baby's decaying body from room to room before eventually placing it in a plastic storage container. Investigators said Stark then moved the container to a barn that was used to house farm equipment and animals.
The child has been identified as Ezra Stark, but Defiance County Coroner William Reeves said DNA results are pending because the body was badly decomposed. Reeves said those results should be available later this month.
Defiance County Sheriff Doug Engel said the Starks have another child living with them, but it's not clear who is currently caring for that child.
Jared Starks is being held at Community Corrections of Northwest Ohio (CCNO) on charges of endangering children and abuse of a corpse. Sarah Starks is also being held at CCNO on a charge of endangering children.
Jared Starks was released $125,000 bond on each charge. Sarah Starks was released on her own recognizance.
Defiance County Prosecutor Morris Murray said a grand jury hearing is scheduled for April 10.
Defiance County Sheriff Doug Engel said investigators are looking into a religious connection between what happened and where the Starks attend church, the Gospel Light Tabernacle.
Engel said once his office completes its investigation it will be turned over to the prosecutor's office. Additional charges are expected.
FULL STORY: Ohio couple charged after infant's decomposed body found in barn - KRON
