Flag is raised in memory of tiny victim of violence


The flag was raised so a 14-month-old girl who died isn’t forgotten.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

WARREN — The Trumbull County Victims’ Flag was raised Tuesday in memory of 14-month-old Destiny Nicole Seybert.

Her family didn’t attend.

Destiny is the daughter of Jennifer Kuhn. Her live-in-boyfriend, Jamie Champlin, 27, has been charged in the girl’s slaying.

Miriam Fife, victim/witness advocate for the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office, said the flag is raised any time a county child is killed because of violence.

Destiny, who lived on Royal Mall Drive in the Royal Mall Apartments, died Sept. 20 in Akron Children’s Hospital.

The flag is a reminder about the violence to children, she told a small group that gathered in front of the county jail on High Street.

It’s also a symbol that Destiny will not be forgotten, said Fife, whose own son was murdered.

“She’s in the arms of her creator,” Fife said.

“We know now that she’s in your presence,” the Rev. Robert Stringer, pastor of New Freedom Missionary Baptist Church in Warren, said during a prayer.

The flag will fly until Friday, as will a second one at the Niles Police Department.

Police have remained tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death.

No response from mother

Fife said early Tuesday that she has reached out to Kuhn through a family member, but Kuhn has not contacted her. She explained that she can provide help only to those who seek it.

The boyfriend, Champlin, was arrested Friday at the couple’s apartment without incident. Niles Police Chief Bruce Simeone has said only that the girl had “serious problems” concerning her injuries.

The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office said Tuesday that an official ruling has not been made in the case as it awaits the results of medical records and tests.

Destiny is the second toddler who died as the result of violence this year in the county.

Two-year-old Fred Miller of Warren died March 1 of a beating. His uncle, Randall M. Thomas, 24, who was staying the Fifth Street residence, has been charged with aggravated murder. His trial is pending.

yovich@vindy.com

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