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The Athens County Prosecutor's Office announced movement this week in two related cases involving the death of a child, though one suspect is reportedly “on the run.”
On Monday, an Athens County grand jury indicted William "Alex" McCallister, 32, formerly of Nelsonville, on charges in connection with the death of a three-month-old infant. An arrest warrant has been issued for McCallister, but efforts are under way to find him, according to a news release. "Please contact the Athens County Sheriff's Office with any information you may have about Alex McCallister's whereabouts," the release says.
McCallister is charged with two counts of felony murder, along with charges of endangering children, felonious assault, corrupting another with drugs and permitting drug abuse, and murder.
The Athens County Sheriff's Office and prosecutor's office, led the investigation, which included waiting for the completion and filing of the autopsy report for the infant, who died Feb. 26. That report was filed Aug. 28. According to a news release from the prosecutor's office, the state awaited the determination of the cause of death as part of its review of the evidence and the appropriate criminal charges.
Meanwhile, according to the news release, Justin Dye and Hannah Edinger, parents of the infant who died Feb. 26, have each been charged with the circumstances surrounding their daughter's death.
According to the allegations, both parents permitted their infant daughter to go to a residence where she was subsequently involved in the circumstances that led to her death, the release says. The release also confirms the charges are in connection with the murder indictment returned against McCallister.
"Every child deserves to be protected from circumstances that place their safety and wellbeing at risk," Athens County Prosecutor Keller J. Blackburn said in the news release. "When the circumstances surrounding a child's death raise concerns about the decisions and actions of those responsible for that child's care, our office has a duty to carefully examine the evidence and determine whether criminal charges are warranted."
Both defendants have a monetary bond in place, the release said. Edinger has a status conference scheduled for Nov. 24. Dye has a status conference scheduled for Dec. 3.