LISBON Death of infant ruled a homicide

LISBON -- Columbiana County authorities expect to present evidence to a county grand jury in the May death of an infant that has been ruled a homicide.
Dr. Lisa Kohler of the Summit County Coroner's Office said without elaborating Thursday that 3-month-old Ashton Howells died of blunt force trauma to her head.
Ashton, the daughter of Rachel Alfrey and Christopher Howells, 30497 Carey Road, Butler Township, died May 23 in Akron Children's Hospital.
She had been hospitalized May 14 with questionable injuries, Sgt. Allan Young of the sheriff's department said previously.
The injuries included a fractured skull, blood on the brain and a bruised liver.
Authorities have been probing the death and, now that it has been ruled a homicide, anticipate presenting evidence to a grand jury, Young said Thursday.
He would not comment on what the baby's parents have said in accounting for how the child was injured.
On May 17, Ashton's 3-year-old twin siblings were placed in foster care by county juvenile court.