2 arrested after pregnant woman was found dead in plastic tote

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ohio (TCN) -- Police recently arrested two men in connection with the death of a pregnant woman who was found in a plastic tote.

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, on Aug. 3, individuals walking along Fort Anthony Road discovered the body of 28-year-old Brittany Fuhr-Storms. Jackson Township Police responded to the scene and alerted the sheriff’s office.

An autopsy confirmed that Fuhr-Storms was pregnant at the time of her death, and the unborn child did not survive. Investigators connected the victim to an address in Franklin and contacted local police.

On Aug. 6, Middletown Police and the sheriff’s office searched the home of James Rothenbusch and discovered narcotics and other drug paraphernalia. Authorities reportedly found items related to Fuhr-Storms’ death and obtained another search warrant.

The sheriff’s office said Rothenbusch was taken into custody and admitted to drug trafficking. He also allegedly told officials the victim "died in his home under suspicious circumstances." Authorities allege Rothenbusch kept Fuhr-Storms’ body in the house for several days before disposing of it.

Rothenbusch faces charges of corrupting another with drugs — specific to a pregnant woman, tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse, trafficking in drugs, possession of drugs, failure to report crime or death, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the sheriff’s office, another suspect, Rick Sheppard, also confessed that the victim died in the residence and her body was stored there until it was disposed of. Sheppard was charged with gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.

The sheriff’s office noted that both suspects said they knew the victim was pregnant.

MORE