Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman announces that on 10-7-2021 at approx. 0303 a.m. his office received a call from the Portsmouth Police Department in regards to a four (4) year-old juvenile that had first been taken to KDMC on Scioto Trail. The child was then taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center then flown to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. Law Enforcement was advised that the child had severe skull fractures and may have ingested drugs. Both law enforcement agencies searched area hotels, motels, and other locations in search of the mother to investigate the incident. Scioto County Children Services was notified of the incident.
Thursday October 7, 2021 at approx.10:44 a.m. Scioto County Deputies and Detectives responded to a local hotel in Rosemount to assist Children Serves. The mother, Breanna Lambert, and boyfriend, Johnny Smith, where at that location.
Johnny Smith stated that while Brenna was inside the Dollar General he was playing with the child, tossing her in the air. He stated that he dropped her on the pavement, hitting the back of her head. He advised that they went back to the hotel and everything appeared ok. He stated that the child later began acting strange, so they put her in an ice bath, then transported her to KDMC.
Sheriff David Thoroughman stated as a result of the investigation the mother and boyfriend were arrested without incident. Detectives located approx. 10 grams of suspected heroin during their investigation.
Arrested was Breanna Lambert, age 23, of 380 Houston Hollow Candy Run Rd. Portsmouth. She has been charged with 1 count of Child Endangerment, a felony of the 2nd degree and 1 count of Possessing Drug Abuse Instruments, a misdemeanor of the 2nd degree. Also arrested, was Johnny M. Smith Jr., age 39, of 199 Crain Rd., West Portsmouth. He was charged with 1 count of Child Endangerment, a felony of the 2nd degree, a Bench Warrant for driving under suspension, a misdemeanor of the 1st degree and a Parole Violation, a felony of the 5th degree. Both are being held in the Scioto County Jail and they will appear in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
The case will eventually be forwarded to the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office to be presented to a Scioto County Grand Jury.
