$100,000 Bond Set for Ashland Man Accused of Injuring Four-Year-Old Child
ASHLAND — An Ashland man accused of striking his girlfriend’s four-year-old child with his hand and a belt appeared by video Friday, October 9, in Ashland County Common Pleas Court, where the court set a $100,000 bond and imposed restrictions on contact with children.
Camryn Hathcock, 24, faces one count of endangering children, a third-degree felony, in case number 26-CRI-188.
The complaint, filed October 9 by Ashland Police Department, alleges the offense occurred on or about October 7 in Ashland County. It accuses Hathcock of administering excessive physical punishment or restraint that created a substantial risk of serious physical harm to a child.
During the bond hearing, Assistant Prosecutor Laura Stanley described the allegations as “extremely concerning.” She told the court the child sustained significant bruising on both sides of his buttocks and part of his hip after allegedly being struck with a belt.
According to Stanley, Hathcock initially admitted to officers that he had been “whipping him too hard earlier,” referring to punishment administered with his hand. Stanley said Hathcock then admitted using a belt after the child had another tantrum.
“This was not an accidental injury,” Stanley told the court, describing allegations of an adult repeatedly using physical force against a four-year-old child, resulting in significant visible injuries.
Stanley said Hathcock’s criminal history includes a 2020 assault offense, a related probation violation and a 2021 failure to appear. She acknowledged that he did not appear to have any felony criminal history, but said the prior offenses raised concerns about community safety and compliance with court orders.
The prosecution requested a $200,000 cash or surety bond, along with GPS monitoring, a curfew, no direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim and no unsupervised contact with any minor.
Stanley also raised concerns about Hathcock’s proposed residence on Cottage Street. She said his girlfriend told police he sometimes stayed there but spent most of his time at a local motel. A police report also indicated that a two-year-old sibling of the alleged victim lived in the home, Stanley said, although she did not know the younger child’s current location. She requested a separate no-contact restriction involving that child.
Hathcock requested appointed counsel, and the court appointed attorney Donald Wick to represent him. When asked whether he wanted to say anything before bond was set, Hathcock declined.
The court ordered a personal recognizance bond, a written promise to attend future hearings, along with a $100,000 bond that may be posted through cash, surety or real estate.
If released, Hathcock must wear a GPS monitor and observe a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew at an approved residence. He must have no contact whatsoever with the alleged victim, have no unsupervised contact with any minors and refrain from living in a home where a child resides.
Additional conditions require him to remain in Ohio, attend all hearings, keep the court informed of his address and telephone number, and obey all laws and court orders. He must also refrain from using or possessing alcohol or drugs of abuse, enroll in the court’s drug and alcohol testing program and submit to random testing. Testing and GPS monitoring costs would be his responsibility.
Hathcock’s next hearing, an initial appearance, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, at 2 p.m. by video.
The charge is an allegation. Hathcock is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
