Man Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter in Death of Woman Who Suffered for 21 Years from Injuries He Caused as Infant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2024

Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve announces that following the commencement of a jury trial that began on January 23rd, 2024, the defendant, Scott Alan Wilson, entered a plea of “No Contest” and was subsequently found guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter, following the death of Heather Gentry.

On January 5th, 1985, Wilson was at his residence with Ms. Toni Gentry Thoroughman and her six week old daughter, Heather Gentry. Heather was swaddled and sleeping peacefully when Ms. Thoroughman got into the shower. While Ms. Thoroughman was in the shower, Heather began to cry. That crying abruptly stopped while Wilson was alone with Heather. Later that day, Ms. Thoroughman became concerned that Heather would not wake up and was unresponsive. At that time, they proceeded to Heather’s pediatrician, who advised them to immediately go to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. On January 7th, 1985, the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to injuries suffered by Heather and began an investigation. Wilson admitted to Detective Hensley with the Sheriff’s Office that Wilson had shaken Heather. On December 1st, 2006, Heather ultimately succumbed to the injuries she sustained at the hands of Wilson. From the time she was six weeks old until the time she died, she was confined to a bed, unable to walk or communicate, and required a feeding tube and around-the-clock care. Because of Wilson, Heather had absolutely no quality of life. An autopsy was conducted and the cause of death was determined to be encephalopathy due to late effects of blunt trauma to the head. Heather’s death was ruled to be a homicide.

In August of 2022, the pertinent facts of this case were brought to the attention of investigators with the Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Clermont County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators from each office worked together to locate witnesses and obtain statements from those parties who had knowledge of the case, as well as all of Heather’s extensive medical records.

Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve would like to commend the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office for their diligent work, in both the initial investigation and the subsequent follow up leading to the defendant’s conviction, as well as Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Zachary Zipperer and Clay Tharp for seeking justice on behalf of Heather. “In securing this conviction for her death, I hope there is some peace found for Heather and her family. I sincerely thank the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office for their willingness to follow up with this investigation and prepare a case that ultimately led to this conviction,” stated Tekulve.

Scott Alan Wilson