An investigation is underway in Defiance County concerning the suspicious death of a child reported in the village of Hicksville. Preliminary results show, that on October 29th, 2016 a child was born alive in a residence on Arrowsmith Road in Hicksville. The child reportedly passed away within the first 10 hours of birth. Then this week, Defiance County Sheriff’s deputies and the coroner’s office conducted a search of that residence and surrounding property, and a child’s body was located. An autopsy has been ordered by the coroner.
The Defiance County Sheriff’s office has charged 33 year old Jared Stark of Hicksville with Endangering Children, and Abuse of a Corpse. 35 year old Sarah Stark of Hicksville was also charged with Endangering Children. They are both scheduled to appear in Defiance Municipal Court today (Fri.), and were held at the northwest Ohio Regional Jail. Further charges are expected in this case.