Akron parents charged with child endangerment in death of 6-year-old; police suspect fentanyl
- The parents of a 6-year-old boy who died suddenly last week have been charged with felony child endangering.
- Police say the boy may have ingested fentanyl.
- Emmalee and William Huston could face additional charges.
The parents of a 6-year-old boy who died suddenly last week have been charged with felony child endangering.
Police said they think Logan Huston may have ingested fentanyl in the family’s home.
“Early indications suggest that,” said Lt. Michael Miller, an Akron police spokesman. “We are waiting for the toxicology from the medical examiner.”
Sudden child death:Death of 6-year-old in Akron under investigation
Emmalee and William Huston, Logan’s parents, are charged with child endangering, a third-degree felony. They both pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning in video arraignments in Akron Municipal Court.
The Hustons, who are both 31, are being held at the Summit County Jail on $10,000 bonds.
The Summit County Public Defender’s Office argued for $2,500 bonds, which was the amount recommended by pre-trial services. City prosecutors, though, requested the higher bonds.
The Hustons will be appointed attorneys who will handle their cases going forward.
Parents call 911 to report son isn’t responsive
Akron police were dispatched to the Hustons' home at 7:36 p.m. May 31, after the parents called 911 to report their son Logan was not breathing and unresponsive.
During the approximately 5 1/2 minute call, Emmalee Huston said her son was unresponsive and his lips were turning purple.
The remainder of the call involves the dispatcher instructing Emmalee, who relays the instructions to her husband, on how to perform CPR on their son.
William Huston can be heard counting chest compressions and breathing for his son until emergency medical technicians arrive.
Logan was taken to Akron Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office has done an autopsy but hasn’t ruled on the cause and manner of Logan’s death. Investigators are awaiting toxicology and other test results, which could take several weeks.
Police remove two other children from couple’s home
Police said in an affidavit that the parents “created a substantial risk to the health of Logan” by “exposing him to lethal levels of fentanyl,” causing the boy’s death, according to court records.
Because of trash throughout the house and unsanitary conditions, as well as the circumstances surrounding Logan’s death, police removed two other children from the home, 10- and 11-year-old boys. They were placed in the care of Summit County Children Services.
Police arrested the couple Tuesday.
Miller said they could face additional charges.
“If the toxicology comes back the way we fear, there will be additional charges," Miller said.
Neither Emmalee nor William Huston have previous criminal charges on record in Summit County Common Pleas, Akron Municipal Court or Stow Municipal Court. Emmalee has a prior theft conviction from 2015 in Barberton Municipal Court.
Mother sets up GoFundMe page for son’s funeral expenses
Emmalee Huston set up a GoFundMe page to help with her son’s funeral expenses.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the family had raised $2,430 toward a $10,000 goal.
Emmalee said on the GoFundMe page that her son “was such a sunshine” and “always put a smile on your face.” She said he loved the outdoors and was adventurous.
“He was so full of life,” she said. “He always cheered you up — no matter what mood you’re in.”
Emmalee asked for help in putting “our sweet boy to rest.”
“Everything goes to Logan & getting us through this, even though we’ll never heal from it,” she said. “He’s our baby.”
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3705. Eric Marotta can be reached at emarotta@gannett.com.