STARK COUNTY, Ohio — William Brent Dolch, who faces charges after his 7-year-old son died in a shooting at a Knights Inn in Stark County last week, was in court Monday to face a judge in the case.
During the brief hearing, Canton Municipal Court Judge Kristen D. Guardado set Dolch’s bond at $500,000 on the following charges:
- Tampering with evidence
- Endangering children
- Reckless homicide
He was also given a $250,000 bond on a charge of having weapons under disability.
Dolch is due back in court for a status hearing at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 27.
Also on Monday, officials announced that a third person has been arrested for their role in the fatal shooting. Joseph Edwin King, 33, was charged with tampering with evidence in Canton Municipal Court. He was arraigned long with Dolch and given a $250,000 bond.
DETAILS OF THE CASE
Dolch, 37, of Akron, was arrested in the 2700 block of 8th Street NW in Canton hours after the deadly June 21 shooting.
The Stark County Sheriff’s Office says it was around 1 a.m. when deputies responded to the scene at the Knights Inn, which is located in the 3900 block of Convenience Circle NW in Plain Township.
Authorities also arrested 29-year-old Brittany Franko, of Canton, with complicity to commit reckless homicide, endangering children and obstructing official business.
In a 911 call after the incident, Franko had identified the victim as her son.
"I was just sitting here, we were folding a blanket and then he was standing and getting ready to brush his teeth for the night,” according to the 911 call. “I don't what happened, I don't know where it came from or anything.”
The boy was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died.
“This was a tragic incident that affects the entire community,” said Stark County Sheriff George T. Maier. “I commend our Deputies, Marshalls with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force and other community partners for working together to quickly identify and charge those responsible.”
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