Page Nav

HIDE

Pages

Classic Header

{fbt_classic_header}

Breaking News:

latest

Ohio teen admits pushing log off cliff that killed Chillicothe photographer

    A 17-year-old male has admitted to pushing a log off a cliff that   struck and killed a woman   as she took photos at Hocking Hills Stat...

  A 17-year-old male has admitted to pushing a log off a cliff that struck and killed a woman as she took photos at Hocking Hills State Park in September 2019.

Jaden W. Churchheus pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter as part of a plea agreement, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Charges of murder and reckless homicide were dropped.

Churchheus is one of two teens who was accused of pushing a 74-pound log off of a cliff that struck and killed Victoria Schafer, 44, as she took photos near Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills State Park on Sept. 2, 2019. Initial reports indicated Schafer had been killed by a falling branch. But officials with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources say they began investigating the two teens after receiving information that they might be involved in Schafer’s death.

Schafer reportedly was taking senior photos of six high school seniors when the incident occurred.

“That day at Old Man’s Cave, I never would have imagined that my actions would result in this," Churchheus said Wednesday in court, according to WBNS Channel 10. "I have thought about the fact that I caused someone’s death every day since it happened, and I will carry that with me for the rest of my life.

"I appreciate the kindness of Ms. Schafer’s family, the attorney general’s office and the prosecutor’s office in giving me a second chance. I realize that nothing I say can bring Ms. Schafer back, but I am truly sorry.”

Judge John Wallace accepted a recommended sentence of three to 4.5 years, with time served, WBNS reports. Wallace put a stay on that sentencing so the case can be moved back to juvenile court. Churchheus was being prosecuted as an adult.

The other teen, Jordan Buckley, 17, is expected to enter a guilty plea next week in a similar agreement, the Enquirer reports.


No comments