CLARION – An Ohio man has been sentenced to serve 12 and a half to 40 years in state prison for his “malicious act” in the 2013 death of a 6-month-old boy.
Chad A. Chadwick
Chad Arthur Chadwick, 24, of Ashtabula, Ohio, had been accused in connection with the death of young “Zeke” Hamilton.
The infant suffered head injuries when he was attacked over the Labor Day weekend on Aug. 31, 2013, at a camp along Marble-Strobleton Road in Washington Township, Clarion County.
Zeke died Nov. 15, 2013, while in hospice care. He had remained in a coma the entire span between the attack and his death.
Chadwick declined to make any statement at last week’s sentencing hearing.
Clarion County district attorney Mark Aaron presented a letter written by Hamilton’s grandfather. The letter explained an emotional experience driven by the death of his grandson.
Part of the letter read: “Zeke’s only sin was being an infant and getting a little fussy. Zeke lived for 76 days being blind, brain-damaged and in a state of paralysis. Chadwick has been in jail for three times more time than Zeke lived.”
The letter continued with specific examples of how his family won’t have the opportunity to watch Zeke grow up or create memories with him.
It ended with “You deserve a sentence more than you are given.”
Aaron presented a slideshow made by the family. It showed photos of Zeke from his birth, while in the hospital and at his funeral.
“I have spent much time with Zeke’s family and friends and this has been a very emotional case for them. They are choosing not to speak so their emotions won’t get the best of them,” Aaron said to Judge James G. Arner.
“This is not just a tragedy; this is a malicious act of Chadwick who took the life from a six-month old baby boy. I can’t think of a more emotional case in the 23 years I have been involved in,” Aaron added.
Aaron stressed that Zeke’s family supported the plea bargain agreement.
Chadwick was given credit for 936 days he has already served in jail.
It was not determined where he will serve his sentence.
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