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Couple who fled trial caught in Franklin County

Fannon, Thompson located after tip

ATHENS, Ohio — A couple convicted in a child abuse case after they fled during their trial were arrested Monday by Columbus Police.

Kayla Fannon, 26, and Samuel A. Thompson, 31, both of Nelsonville, were convicted May 17 in Athens County Common Pleas Court on second- and third-degree felony counts of endangering children and a third-degree felony count of permitting child abuse. The charges stemmed from the discovery in the spring of 2014 of more than 25 broken bones and a significant brain injury suffered by the couple’s daughter, then 4 1/2 months old, according to the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office.

Arrest warrants were issued for the couple after they failed to appear on the fifth day of their trial, May 12. The proceeding resumed May 16 in their absence, with the jury returning a guilty verdict May 17.

A tip to the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office led authorities to the Budget Inn Motel in Lockbourne in Franklin County, Ohio, Monday, according to a release from the office.

Fannon and Thompson were arrested by members of the Columbus Division of Police S.W.A.T. team on Monday. Details of the arrest were not immediately available Monday afternoon, a police spokeswoman said.

According to the release, Fannon and Thompson will be held in Franklin County for a hearing related to extradition back to Athens County. Once they return, bond and sentencing hearings will be held for both of them.

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