WILLOUGHBY, Ohio — A $5 million bond has been set for 32-year-old Donald Mynatt in connection with the deadly hit-and-run in Cleveland that killed 7-year-old Amir Prewitt.
During an arraignment hearing on Friday, Mynatt pleaded not guilty. The case was also bound over to a grand jury in Cuyahoga County.
3News previously learned that the U.S. Marshals arrested Mynatt on Wednesday morning in the 4800 block of East 355th Street in Willoughby.
"I am grateful for the collaborative efforts of our members and the United States Marshals Service in making this arrest. The loss of Amir has impacted our community and the Division of Police. Our teams have worked tirelessly investigating and following all leads to bring closure for Amir's family. We ask the community to keep his family in your prayers," said Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy "Annie" Todd.
The U.S. Marshals say Mynatt was arrested Wednesday morning in the 4800 block of East 355th Street in Willoughby.
"Members of our task force work meticulously to find and arrest this suspect, it was clear he knew he was wanted and was doing everything he could to evade arrest. This suspect had no regard for this child’s life, and we hope this arrest will let the family begin to grieve and the justice system to begin to work for Amir," said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott.
CASE DETAILS
Police say it was around 7:20 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, when Amir -- who was riding his skateboard in the driveway of a parking lot in the 16000 block of Lakeshore Boulevard -- was struck by a vehicle that’s described as a large SUV with tinted windows.
“The vehicle continued out of the driveway and left the scene,” according to a press release from Cleveland police.
Amir Prewitt was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Last week, an arrest warrant was issued for Mynatt on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident that involved a child fatality.
Following the incident, a vigil was held in Amir's memory.
"I appreciate everyone coming, I appreciate the love and condolences, but I don't know who did this," his mother told 3News. "The killer could be amongst me right now and I wouldn't know, because nobody wants to speak up."
Cuyahoga County court records show Mynatt has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2010, bouncing in and out of prison for various offenses, including theft and domestic violence. Notably, he was supposed to appear in court last December on another domestic violence charge, but Judge Steven E. Gall issued a warrant for his arrest after he did not show up, making him a fugitive at the time of Prewitt's death.
Following the arrest of Mynatt, Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek commended the work of the U.S. Marshals.
“Amir’s heartbroken mother can have some peace that the suspect is now in custody,” said Councilman Polensek, who has been dealing with Mynatt since he was 15 years old. “But that doesn’t bring Amir back.”
“The suspect should have turned himself in, instead of running and hiding,” added Polensek. “We should keep Amir and his family in our prayers.”