MONROE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WXIX) – A 15-year-old and his grandmother have been charged in connection with the death of an 81-year-old man.
Cornelia Johnson, 67, is accused of tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice, according to the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office.
Her teenage grandson faces five charges, the sheriff’s office said.
- Trespassing
- Forgery
- homicide
- Manipulation of evidence
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
The charges stem from the April 12 death of Cornelia’s husband, 81-year-old Clifford Johnson, the sheriff’s office said.
At about 6:45 a.m. that day, the sheriff’s office said someone called 911 to report that a man had been struck by a vehicle in the 2900 block of Fair Oak Road in Monroe Township.
When officers arrived, they found Clifford injured on a couch in the house, the sheriff’s office said.
Cornelia and the couple’s 15-year-old grandson were also in the house.
According to the sheriff’s office, the two claimed Clifford did not put his vehicle in park before getting out, which caused the vehicle to run over him in the driveway, they claimed.
The 81-year-old was flown to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries, the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office said.
A little more than a month later, on May 17, investigators received new information about the events of April 12. This new information incriminated the teenage grandson as solely responsible for Clifford’s injuries, the sheriff’s office said.
Both Cornelia and the teenager lied about what happened to Clifford, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators concluded that the teen had taken the family car to East Fork State Park without permission, where it became stuck in a ditch, the sheriff’s office said.
Clifford came to help his grandson and was hit by the 15-year-old, according to the sheriff’s office.
The teenager is in custody at the Clermont County Juvenile Detention Center.
Cornelia will receive a summons to appear in Clermont County Common Pleas Court.
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