Unsanitary living conditions and poor hygiene contributed to the 2018 death of 3-month-old girl, and the victim’s parents have been sent to prison for failing to provide adequate care of their young daughter.
Charles Vining, 36, and Rachel Brannan, 26, each of Bellefontaine, were sentenced Jan. 17 to 18 months in prison for a felony and misdemeanor count of child endangering.
The couple was convicted of the charges Dec. 13 following a two-day jury trial. The defendants had also been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony; and reckless homicide, a third-degree felony, but were acquitted of those charges.
Brannan’s sentence will run consecutive to another 11-month prison term ordered because of a probation violation for a 2015 charge of importuning.
Three-month-old Felicity Vining died Dec. 25, 2018, due to severe dehydration and flu-like symptoms. Logan County Prosecutors asserted the girl’s parents recklessly failed to provide sufficient care of their child, which resulted in her death.
The defendant’s Walker Street residence was infested with roaches, rats and mice, prosecutors said, noting that trash and feces was scattered throughout the home.
According to testimony at trial, an officer reported seeing a rat knock over a cup while investigating.