Reported kidnapped
At 3:45 a.m. Saturday, Creachbaum’s mother’s boyfriend, Michael Kendrick, reported someone punched him and took the boy, according to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch records.
An update posted to the dispatch log around 4:20 a.m. noted there was no indication the child was taken, but that he was missing. The log also claimed the caller was intoxicated.
Crews searched the home and alleyways in the area. They also cleared Ruskin Elementary School, where Creachbaum was a student.
Investigators used drones as well to assist in the search.
Shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday, Dayton police posted on social media asking for the public’s help locating Creachbaum.
“Hershall went missing from the 400 block of Xenia Avenue around 3:30 a.m.,” police said. “He is a person with autism and is non-verbal.”
The boy used a wheelchair but could walk short distances. However, police said the wheelchair had been located.
Body found
Less than 12 hours after seeking the public’s help, police shared an update saying the body of a juvenile believed to be Creachbaum had been found.
The identification is pending through the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.
“This is a tragic outcome, and our thoughts are with those affected,” police said.
The remains were found on McClure Street near U.S. 35.
Mother arrested, boyfriend charged
On Monday, Michael Kendrick was charged with three counts of tampering with evidence and one count of gross abuse of a corpse in Dayton Municipal Court.
Dayton police arrested Kendrick Saturday night and booked him into the Montgomery County Jail.
Kendrick’s bond was set at $2 million on Tuesday during his first court appearance.
Officers arrested the boy’s mother Monday morning. She’s booked on preliminary failure to report a death and obstructing justice charges.
Dayton police Chief Kamran Afzal said Monday more charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
Boy believed to be dead for weeks
During a press conference Monday, Afzal said investigators believe Creachbaum has been dead for weeks.
Municipal court records detailed a police interview with Kendrick and the boy’s mother. The boy’s name was redacted from the documents, but details matched the 911 dispatch log and statements from police about Creachbaum going missing.
The boy’s mother claimed Creachbaum died sometime in late May when she was having surgery in the hospital, according to court records.
The boy was reportedly in Kendrick’s care at the time and told her Creachbaum died of natural causes.
“(The boy’s mother) stated Michael disposed of his body in an unknown location by railroad tracks,” an affidavit read. “She stated that she never saw (the boy) after she came home.”
Kendrick told investigators he was drinking while in an argument on the phone and punched Creachbaum twice in the head, according to court records.
“He then pushed him down, causing him to bounce off the floor and striking other parts of his body,” an affidavit said. “He stated (the boy) died the next day in the shower.”
Kendrick reportedly kept the body in the house until it smelled and then put Creachbaum into a deep freezer.
He used a suitcase to leave the child’s remains in a grassy field, according to court records.
“He then after a few weeks went back and recovered the bones,” an affidavit read. “He placed them in a bag and put them in the 100 block of McClure Street.”
Public reacts to boy’s death
The McClure Street bridge over U.S. 35 had flowers, balloons, stuffed animals and toys left in honor of Creachbaum.
Family and community members left notes, including “Love you monkey,” “Justice 4 Hershall” and “We all matter.”
Multiple people stopped at the memorial while the Dayton Daily News was on the scene to add items.
Ben Laprairie was with his family said they saw the news coverage about Creachbaum and wanted to pay their respects at the memorial.
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