BUCYRUS—Diane Ross, 51, of Galion, has been charged in the shooting death of her four-year-old grandson.
The Crawford County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Ross for one count of child endangering, a felony of the third degree punishable with up to three years in prison. Ross appeared via summons with her attorney Adam Stone.
The charges result from an incident on May 18th. According to reports, someone from the home called 911 but then hung up. As emergency personnel were tracing the call, Avita Hospital informed them they were treating a toddler with a gunshot wound to the face.
The child was transported by medical life flight to Children’s hospital but succumbed to his injuries on route.
According to charges, the child and his family lived with Ross. The gun was allegedly left within the toddler’s reach, and he shot himself in the face.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that Ross had been fully cooperative during the investigation.
“Because she cooperated, voluntarily appeared, and has retained counsel, I am not opposed to a PR bond with some conditions,” Hoovler said.
Those conditions included no weapons in the home, no juveniles living in the house, and a drug and alcohol assessment to rule out that they were not a factor in the case.
Adam Stone told the court his client would abide by the state’s stipulations.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold granted the personal recognizance bond.
“This is a very serious case. I want to be clear… there had better not be any weapons in that house; not a knife, not a gun, not a club…nothing. I want a drug and alcohol assessment immediately. I will give you until next Monday to work out the living arrangements.” Leuthold said.