WESTON, Ohio (WTVG) - Five people are facing charges after investigators said adults turned a fight between kids into chaos at a Wood County cemetery.
Wood County sheriff’s deputies said a teen was hit by a car during the incident.
Deputies said the case began with a 911 call on July 10 about an injured juvenile. The call launched an investigation into a fight at Weston Cemetery. Deputies said it was a fight that adults did not stop, but allegedly encouraged.
Investigators accused 41-year-old Rachel Bell Ankney of encouraging kids to fight, failing to stop the fighting, and leaving children at the scene without getting them care.
Detective Lt. Patrick Moremile, of the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, said there had been issues between two groups of juveniles, who had either decided to meet at the cemetery or were brought there by adults.
Moremile said that’s when his officers got the call.
“While our units were in route, there was further information given to them that the juvenile seizing due to being hit in the head from an altercation and that also another juvenile possibly involved in the altercation was struck by a vehicle,” Moremile said.
Two teens were treated at the hospital and released the same day.
A Wood County grand jury indicted 34-year-old Dustin Willmarth. He allegedly brought his son and his girlfriend son to the fight, and both boys were hurt. Willmarth is also accused of kicking several children.
Investigators said as he tried to drive away, he hit a 13-year-old with his car. The incident was recorded on video.
“The video we have shows a large group of juveniles and adults involved in a physical fight, and another portion of the video does show a person being hit by a car,” Moremile said.
Court records show deputies also charged Makayla Swank, Cruzito Garcia and Jessica Dennis with disorderly conduct in connection to the case.
All the suspects have pleaded not guilty.
The news outlet reached out to everyone involved. Some declined to comment. Others hung up or did not answer.