West Carrollton group home death ruled homicide; state watchdog joins investigation

WEST CARROLLTON — The death of a man who lived at a West Carrollton group home on Redbluff Drive in March has been ruled a homicide, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office said.

West Carrollton police told our reporters they plan on presenting evidence in the death case to a three-prosecutor panel in Montgomery County in the next 24 hours. The panel will consider whether criminal charges are warranted.

Jerrold Duskey, 65, of West Carrollton, died around 11:15 p.m. March 5 at Kettering Medical Center from complications of multiple blunt force injuries to his head, torso and left upper extremity, the coroner’s office said. The coroner’s office said an acute intracranial hemorrhage was a significant contributor to his death.

An Ohio advocacy group also is investigating the West Carrollton group home where death happened.

Disability Rights Ohio is looking into the group home on Redbluff Drive, where Duskey lived, said Michael Kirkman, executive director of DRO.

West Carrollton police said they have suspects identified in connection to the case, however no charges have been filed.  Police said they plan to pursue charges in the case once they receive the final autopsy report from the coroner’s office.

Police said they have an active investigation at Duskey’s Redbluff Drive residence involving an incident Feb. 14.

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A residential manager at the group home reported to police possible physical abuse involving one of its residents on Feb. 14.

“We have reason to believe a resident has been abused,” the manager told 911 operators, adding that it’s not known how the resident sustained the reported injuries.

ResCare, Inc. manages the group home on Redbluff. A spokeswoman for the organization said two caregivers, who were working at the time the incident occurred, have been removed from employment.

“We continue to work closely and in cooperation with law enforcement and with external investigators. After conducting our own internal investigation, following our policy and protocol, we separated two caregivers from employment who were working during the time the incident occurred,” said Kristen Trenaman, spokeswoman for ResCare.

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ResCare Residential Services provides support to adults and children who need assistance with daily living due to a developmental, cognitive or intellectual disability. Programs offered include a range of services, including: community living, behavioral health support, in-home pharmacy solutions, TeleCare and supported employment, said Trenaman.

Trenaman said, “We are heartbroken to learn that one of the individuals we supported passed away while hospitalized.”

The injuries that led to Duskey’s death were sustained at his residence on Redbluff, the coroner’s office said.