Sheriff: Preble Co. boy had signs of malnourishment, injuries

A Preble County woman was indicted Wednesday in connection with the death of her 21-month-old son last year. Christy Lynn Warwick, of West Alexandria, is in Preble County Jail on charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering children in the death of Sylas Warwick.

UPDATE @ 11:32 a.m. (May 5)

The boy’s death has since been ruled a homicide after he died in December 2015.

“There were obvious signs of injury … I believe both old and new. I’m not going to go into what the specific injuries were,” said Preble County Sheriff Mike Simpson. “There was indication … this child was somewhat malnourished.”

The secret indictment states the offense date of September through December 2015.

“Our investigation got us back to at least that September date,” Simpson said. “It’s our belief that there’s no reason that this child should be dead.”

Brian Muenchenbach, defense attorney for Christy Warwick, said the mother maintains her innocence of any wrongdoing.

“It’s a tragic situation any time you have a death of an infant,” Muenchenbach said. “The family is mourning the loss; the mother is mourning that loss. Christy has been a dedicated mother to all of her children throughout her life.”

EARLIER REPORT (May 4)

A Preble County woman was charged in a secret indictment today for the death her 21-month-old son last year.

Christy Lynn Warwick, of West Alexandria, was formally charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering children in a two-count secret indictment this afternoon, according to the Preble County Prosecutors Office.

Warwick is allegedly responsible for the death of her 21-month-old son, Sylas Warwick, in December of 2015.

The autopsy report showed Sylas died from blunt force trauma to the head and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

Warwick reported her son was unresponsive and not breathing Dec. 13, 2015. By the time a deputy arrived, the child had been taken to the emergency department in Eaton, the sheriff said.

Warwick did appear today in a Preble County court for an arraignment where bail was set at $10,000 cash or surety. A plea of not guilty was entered.

A trial date has been set for July 27, 2016.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APPS FOR THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS