For Immediate Release: December 27, 2024
Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve announces that Matthew Robert Edmonson and Charles Robert Edmonson pled guilty in court this morning for the cruel abuse and torture they inflicted upon their 5 adopted children, who were all biological siblings.
Matt Edmonson pled guilty to 5 counts of Child Endangering, for an agreed 13 years in prison.
Charles Edmonson pled guilty to 3 counts of Child Endangering, 1 count of Felonious Assault and 1 count of Kidnapping, for an agreed 15 years in prison.
As detailed in a previous press release, the 5 children, who are all biological siblings, were originally brought to this married couple as foster children. They were eventually adopted by the pair. The children had been in and out of the hospital for various reasons, including: bruising, potential internal bleeding, and failure to thrive, all of which were explained away by mother, Matthew and father, Charles. These 5 boys were born with many medical issues, and instead of being nurtured and cared for properly, they were traumatized and treated inhumanely. After law enforcement discovered videos of the boys being held in a “bedroom” that can best be described as a dungeon, Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Christina Dattilo and Nicholas Horton presented upgraded charges to the grand jury as to both Matthew and Charles Edmonson. Criminal charges got worse for the Edmonsons. These horrific videos exposed the Edmonsons’ lies, as well as providing insight into the full spectrum of cruelty endured by these five boys.
These videos sparked further investigation, which revealed even more explicit videos and images, but most importantly, they provided a complete picture of how these boys were forced to live over the years. This broad view, along with the haunting depictions of these boys being held naked, cold, tied up to a metal bed frame, and without food and water for hours on end, gave insight into the extent of the trauma these boys suffered at the hands of the parents.
With a joint effort between the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, Clermont County Children’s Protective Services and the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office, we were able to get these boys into new living situations, where they are thriving. The monstrous acts they were subjected to will no longer be a barrier to their development. While they will likely need mental health intervention the rest of their lives, physically and emotionally they are flourishing.
“I want to thank all the school staff, neighbors, family and doctors who came forward and willingly gave interviews to my Prosecutors. Everyone’s persistence kept these kids on CPS’s radar and undoubtedly helped to prevent further abuse. Teachers are the first line of defense for children who are being abused or neglected. Your role in the protection of children is extremely important.” – Mark J. Tekulve
For Immediate Release: October 30, 2024:
Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve announces an indictment for Robert Ellison, age 36, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Ellison has been employed as a police officer at Elmwood Place Police Department, in Hamilton County. The indictment addresses crimes that occurred while he was employed as a police officer for the Williamsburg Police Department, however, these crimes were not committed during working hours. Ellison has been indicted on three (3) counts of Gross Sexual Imposition, involving a minor. If convicted of all, Ellison faces up to 15 years in prison.
Ellison has been employed as a police officer at numerous police departments throughout his career, but most recently, he has served at the Camden Police Department, Preble County Sheriff’s Office, Owensville Police Department, Williamsburg Police Department, and Elmwood Place Police Department.
Ellison was in court this morning and entered not guilty pleas to the indictment. Judge Kevin Miles set bond at $100,000 Cash/Professional. The case is scheduled for pretrial November 14, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in front of Judge Anthony Brock.
The case was investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). BCI’s investigation remains ongoing. If you or anyone you know has had a questionable interaction with Robert Ellison, please call BCI at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446). Any media related questions should be directed to BCI at 614-728-5417.
“No one is above the law. My office and I work tirelessly to make sure of it.”
– Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve.
For Immediate Release: June 26, 2024
Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve announces the indictment of Keith Cruz, age 52, of Loveland, for a total of 72 counts, with 36 counts of forceful Rape against a child under the age of 13, along with Gross Sexual Imposition and Sexual Battery of that same child, Pandering in Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor and Pandering in Obscenity involving a Minor. If convicted, Cruz faces up to 900 years to life in prison on the Rapes alone, and that is just what he is looking at in Clermont County.
Cruz is currently facing child rape charges in Hamilton County, where he is currently incarcerated in the Hamilton County Justice Center. This case came to light when the Loveland Police Department asked the news to report on Cruz and to ask for anyone else who was victimized by him, to please come forward. He was clearly targeting single women who had young girls and boys of whom he would be able to take advantage. He did not discriminate between gender; his only qualifications were that it be a child.
“If you or someone you know has been victimized by Keith Cruz, please reach out to the Loveland Police Department at (513) 583-3000. They have worked tirelessly to ensure that all of his victims get a voice, and my office vows to do the same. Please do not hesitate to call. You deserve the chance to get your justice and peace.” Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve.
For Immediate Release: May 31, 2024
Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve announces that on Friday, May 24, 2024, Tamara Banks was sentenced to 9 years in prison after having pled guilty to the Involuntary Manslaughter of her 4-year-old daughter, K.H. Hoeb will learn his fate on June 11, 2024.
Banks and Hoeb were the biological parents and sole caretakers of K.H., who was 4 years old when they found her unresponsive on January 21, 2022. Banks and Hoeb called 911 and K.H. was immediately transported to the hospital. EMT medics were able to revive K.H., but she remained unresponsive. K.H. was transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center for advanced care and treatment. K.H. was ultimately determined to be brain dead. On January 24, 2022, K.H. was taken off life support and passed away.
Due to the neglect and abuse by her parents, K.H. suffered for most of her short life. Banks and Hoeb fed K.H. mostly mountain dew, through a baby bottle. Due to this deplorable diet, at her death, K.H. had nearly no teeth left in her mouth. Her teeth had rotted out because of what medical professionals refer to as “baby bottle carries”. Banks and Hoeb denied K.H. proper nutrition and medical care, which ultimately led to her passing. The coroner ruled her death the result of diabetic ketoacidosis. Essentially, K.H. had diabetes that was left undiagnosed and untreated over a long period of time.
“K.H. did not deserve the fate she met. She did not deserve these parents. Banks and Hoeb deserve every minute in prison they receive.” Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve.
March 8, 2024
Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve announces the indictment of husband and wife, Asa M. Dawson, and Kaitlyn J. Dawson, both of Batavia Township, Ohio.
On February 29, 2024, a Grand Jury indicted Asa and Kaitlyn Dawson on four counts of Aggravated Arson, 3 counts of Arson, Tampering with Evidence, Insurance Fraud, and Telecommunications Fraud, for a total of ten counts. If convicted, they can each serve up to 42 years in prison.
Both Dawson’s were arraigned this morning at the Clermont County Common Pleas Court by Judge Anthony Brock, who ordered a bond of $50,000 O/R conditioned on the conditions that they surrender their passports and report to probation.
Both are scheduled to appear on Wednesday March 20, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. before judge Richard Ferenc.
On September 20, 2022, the home of Asa and Kaitlyn Dawson at 2385 Vista Lake Drive, burned down. Through a thorough investigation by the Clermont County Fire Investigative Unit, the State Fire Marshall’s Investigative Unit, and Investigators at the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined that the fire was incendiary (manmade), and the defendants utilized accelerants in an effort to burn their home. The fire also caused damage to a neighbor’s home which was occupied by two victims at the time, placing them in grave danger.
If anyone thinks he or she may have information related to the arson, please contact the Investigative Unit at the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office by calling 513-732-7500.
“This couple endangered the lives of brave members of the firefighting community as well as their neighbors, all to defraud their insurance company. We intend to fully prosecute this despicable act.”
-Mark J. Tekulve, Clermont County Prosecutor
For Immediate Release:
February 22, 2024
Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve announces the indictment of Brett Jason Owens (05/14/1982) of Union Township on nine counts, including Attempted Aggravated Murder (felony 1), Attempted Murder (felony 1), Kidnapping (felony 1), Felonious Assault (felony 2), Tampering with Evidence (felony 3), Attempted Aggravated Burglary (felony 1), and Attempted Burglary (felony 2). Just before 1:00 a.m. on February 18, 2024, Union Township received a 911 call for a male banging on the caller’s door with a firearm in his hand. The caller had a description on the male, and that the male appeared to leave the area in a silver SUV. Officers with the Union Township Police Department were able to make contact with the suspect, Brett Jason Owens, who advised he was at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and that he had shot the victim. Airport law enforcement was notified of the situation, and detained Owens.
Officers ultimately had to enter into Owens’ residence, where they located the victim suffering from five gunshot wounds. At that time, the victim was able to identify Owens as the perpetrator.
Detectives with the Union Township Police Department were able to work with Airport Police to ensure Owens was detained. Along with Owens, his vehicle and a weapon which law enforcement believes was used to commit the offense were located at the airport. Owens is currently in custody in Boone County, Kentucky awaiting extradition to Ohio. It is unclear at this time whether Owens will waive extradition, or will request a hearing on the matter.
If convicted on all counts, Owens faces a maximum possible sentence of 45 years in prison.