Parents Charged with Indictment for Allegedly Causing Death of Sick 11-Year-Old
A Cuyahoga County Grand Jury has indicted John Towne and Ahhra Pugh for the death of their 11-year-old son, Hunter Towne, who died in a hotel in Independence, Ohio, back in January.
Hunter, who had a medical condition, was reportedly not receiving proper care. The family had been living in a hotel room with six children and pets, and police described the conditions as “deplorable.”
Officers were called to the Extended Stay America Premier Suites on Jefferson Drive on January 10 following reports of a deceased juvenile. Upon arrival, they found Hunter lying on a bed near a window.
Authorities learned that Hunter had been suffering from Hirschsprung’s disease and other health issues since birth and had been unwell in the days leading up to his death. At the time of the investigation, five other children and two pets were also living in the room but had left before police arrived.
Due to the living conditions, Children and Family Services were notified.
The parents face serious charges, including murder, involuntary manslaughter, two counts of child endangering, felonious assault, and several other offenses.
