Murder charges surprise family of young victim

Relatives say a man charged with murder never showed signs of aggression.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

NILES — An in-law of Jamie Champlin says it’s difficult to believe Champlin killed a 14-month-old girl.

“Not in a million years,” David Seybert, Champlin’s brother-in-law, said of Champlin’s alleged actions in the death of Destiny Nicole Seybert.

Seybert, who is also Destiny’s uncle, stood outside the city’s justice center Wednesday morning waiting for Champlin’s preliminary hearing on a charge of murder.

The hearing was continued until Oct. 10, suggesting that the case will be presented directly to the Trumbull County grand jury, city police said.

Destiny died Sept. 20 at Akron Children’s Hospital. Police Chief Bruce Simeone said the toddler had injuries consistent with physical abuse and a beating.

Seybert said he knew Champlin, 27, quite well.

Seybert was Champlin’s foreman in a roofing business. They hunted and fished together. Seybert’s brother, Danny, was Destiny’s biological father.

“We spent a lot of time together,” Seybert said of Champlin. “He never showed any sign of aggression. He was always quiet.”

Champlin was the live-in boyfriend of Destiny’s mother, Jennifer Kuhn. The lived in Royal Mall Apartments in Niles. “They lived together for nearly a year,” Seybert said.

He said he wasn’t aware of any drug use by Champlin or Kuhn.

“He loved that child,” Seybert said, noting that Destiny considered Champlin her father and Champlin supported her financially.

Usually, Seybert went to work while Kuhn stayed home to watch Destiny. That charged recently when Kuhn got a cashier’s job.

While both Champlin and Kuhn were out of the home working, Danny Seybert, Destiny’s father, began staying at the apartment to watch the girl.

“We never expected it,” David Seybert said of the death and Champlin’s being charged in the murder.

He commented that investigators are not keeping the family informed of where the investigation is leading.

However, he said he knows that Kuhn was being questioned by authorities Tuesday.

yovich@vindy.com