COLUMBUS, Ohio - The mother of a 2-year-old who died last year has been indicted on two counts in connection with his death.
Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced Tina Dayton was indicted on counts of murder and endangering children in the death of Clifford "Jace" Stark III.
On October 7, 2019, police and medics were dispatched to Dayton’s apartment in the 4600 block of Refugee Road regarding an injured child.
Jace, who had turned two just days before, was rushed to Nationwide Children's Hospital. He died the next day.
A Columbus police report shows Dayton reported she believed Jace fell off while jumping on the bed. But the hospital's trauma surgeon disputed that report, according to a search warrant.
According to the criminal complaint filed with the court, Jace had internal bleeding which was discovered at the hospital.
Hospital social workers said Jace had bruises on "various parts of his body" and suspected he was the "victim of child physical abuse," according to the search warrant.
The autopsy and coroner's report released earlier this year showed Jace had extensive injuries, ranging from bruises on his forehead to a cut on his lip and a severely broken arm.
The coroner ruled his cause of death was from multiple blunt force trauma.
Dayton was charged with his murder in March but had fled the state. She was arrested on March 30 in Florida.
Her arraignment is scheduled for April 17.
