Hershall Creachbaum Death: How he died will be a challenging investigation

DAYTON — The autopsy report for 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum, Jr. is shedding new light on the investigation into his death. It’s also showing how it could be difficult for investigators to determine how he died.

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News Center 7 has learned that the boy’s skeletal remains were what detectives found 10 days ago, on July 12.

As previously reported, they were found not far from his mother’s home on Xenia Avenue.

As shown on News Center 7 at 5:00, new documents observed at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office reveal Creachbaum’s remains were found in a wooden embankment, wrapped up in bags.

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A preliminary autopsy report indicates the boy’s body was badly decomposed when police found it. The report states that they discovered “an incomplete skeleton with scant tissue remnants.”

The report also indicated there were several bones fractured, but did not say if it happened after Creachbaum’s death or while he was still alive.

The preliminary investigative report classified the case as a Dayton Police Department homicide investigation, but it did not list his cause of death.

Coroner explains steps to determine Hershall Creachbaum's cause of death Montgomery County Coroner, Dr. Kent Harshbarger, spoke about their work to try and determine what happened to the boy.

As shown on News Center 7 at 6:00, Montgomery County Coroner, Dr. Kent Harshbarger, spoke about their work to try and determine what happened to the boy.

“We want to do both, ideally, but if have to do one, we’re going to take right over fast,” Harshbarger said.

While he can’t specifically speak on Creachbaum’s case, he did touch on how police finding mostly skeletal remains would complicate the investigation.

“If there is a child involved, then it really requires more outside assistance to help us make a conclusion, and we’re going back through the medical history,” he said.

The coroner said when child victims are involved, there is often a need to call in an anthropologist.

“You get into little hand or wrist bones, then we really need the help of an anthropologist,” Harshbarger said. “But then the other things we just talked about, really helpful, is identifying trauma.”

Creachbaum’s mother, Ashley Johnson, and her boyfriend, Michael Kendrick, were arrested just hours after police found his remains. Currently, both are facing charges stemming from his death, but not specifically connected to it.

The key to the ongoing investigation will be whether police, the coroner, and others can pin down the boy’s cause of death. That will determine if more charges will be filed against Johnson or Kendrick, or anyone else.

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