Prosecutors: Man indicted, knew wife had scalded young son
LEBANON, Ohio – A grand jury has indicted an Ohio man who prosecutors say waited 15 hours to call for help despite knowing his wife had placed his 4-year-old son in scalding water, eventually causing his death.
A Warren County grand jury indicted Robert Ritchie of Franklin on Monday on charges including involuntary manslaughter and child endangering.
Prosecutors say in March Ritchie’s wife, Anna, put Austin Cooper in water estimated at 130 degrees for at least 20 minutes as a punishment.
The boy was bleeding and had skin coming off his legs, and authorities say Robert knew he had been burned and scalded, and was blistering. Robert found the boy dead the next morning.
Robert’s attorney, Frank Schiavone IV, says they believe justice will prevail.
Anna has denied the charges.
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