Two people have been taken into custody following the discovery of a body believed to be that of Hershall Creachbaum, a missing 7-year-old non-verbal boy with autism from Dayton, Ohio. Authorities now suspect the child may have been dead for several weeks before his disappearance was reported.
Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal held a press conference on Monday, July 14, where he confirmed that the body—believed to be Hershall’s—was found on the same day the child was reported missing, July 12. Hershall used a wheelchair and was unable to communicate verbally, making his apparent disappearance even more alarming to the community.
“This is a heartbreaking case,” Chief Afzal stated. “This child was one of the most vulnerable members of our community.” The child’s mother, Ashley Johnson, was arrested shortly after the body’s discovery. She now faces charges of obstructing justice and failure to report a death, according to Dayton police.
Authorities allege that Johnson misled investigators and failed to notify authorities about her son’s death. A second individual, 38-year-old Michael Kendrick, was also taken into custody. Kendrick initially called 911 on July 12, prompting the investigation. He has been charged with tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse.
Police say Kendrick’s involvement remains under investigation. “These charges are preliminary,” said Afzal. “Our endgame is to have a lot more serious charges,” though he did not specify what further charges might be pursued. The final determination will depend on the results of an ongoing forensic examination.
Authorities have yet to release specific details regarding the cause or circumstances of Hershall’s death, pending the results of the autopsy. However, investigators believe the child had been dead for “several weeks” before being reported missing, a timeline that has intensified scrutiny on those responsible for his care.
Chief Afzal also confirmed that Hershall had a sibling—a young sister—living in the same home. Child Protective Services has since taken custody of the girl, and she is now under the care of authorities while the investigation continues.
The community has responded with shock and sorrow, as tributes pour in for the young boy. Local officials have called the incident deeply disturbing and pledged to pursue full accountability for those involved. “This is an active investigation,” Afzal said. “And we are committed to uncovering the full truth of what happened to this child.”
