Niles man indicted in baby death

WARREN — A Trumbull County grand jury has indicted a Niles man on charges that could put him in jail for life, if convicted of killing his girlfriend’s 14-month-old daughter.

Jamie A. Champlin, 27, of 173 Royal Mall Drive in the Royal Mall Apartments, was indicted Friday on a charge of murder and a charge of endangering children. The charges accuse him of killing Destiny Nicole Seybert, who lived with him and his girlfriend in the apartment.

If convicted on the charges, he could face 23 years to life in prison.

The charges do not contain specifications that would make him eligible for the death penalty.

Champlin is the live-in boyfriend of the girl’s mother, Jennifer Kuhn. The child’s father is Danny Seybert.

Niles Police Chief Bruce Simeone said the girl died Sept. 20 after being taken to Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital on Sept. 18 and then to Akron Children’s Hospital on Sept. 20.

Officials have not released details of the girl’s injuries, but Simeone said the toddler had injuries consistent with physical abuse and a beating.

Champlin will be arraigned at 2 p.m. Oct. 17 before Judge John M. Stuard in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Champlin remains in Trumbull County Jail on a $750,000 cash or surety bond.