Portsmouth, Ohio (February 7, 2024) – A 25-year-old Portsmouth woman is facing multiple charges after her 3-month-old infant was found unresponsive and pronounced deceased on Tuesday.
Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman stated that deputies responded to a call of an unresponsive infant at an apartment on Kendall Avenue on February 6th. Upon arrival, officers and detectives found the infant deceased at the scene.
The Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit (SVU) took over the investigation and ordered an autopsy at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. Detectives conducted a search of the apartment and interviewed witnesses, including the infant’s mother.
Following interviews, 25-year-old Kristen Michelle Vassar was arrested and charged with:
- Three (3) counts of Involuntary Manslaughter (Felony 1st degree)
- Two (2) counts of Child Endangerment (Felony 3rd degree)
- Two (2) counts of Possession of Drugs (Felony 5th degree)
Vassar is currently being held in the Scioto County Jail on a $180,000 bond and appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court today.
Sheriff Thoroughman emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and further charges may be filed. He commended the collaborative efforts of the Portsmouth Police Department, Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Prosecutor’s Office SVU, and Portsmouth Fire Department in this case.
Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091.
