Murder charge dropped in plea deal

WARREN — A report from the Summit County Coroner’s office led to a plea bargain in which a murder charge was dropped against Jamie A. Champlin, 28, of Niles in exchange for a guilty plea to endangering children.

Champlin accepted the agreement Friday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Judge Andrew Logan will sentence him in about six weeks. Champlin could get probation or up to five years in prison on the third-degree felony.

Mike Burnett, an assistant county prosecutor, said a meeting with Dr. Lisa Kohler of the Summit County Coroner's office on Jan. 16 revealed the injury 14-month old Destiny N. Seybert received from Champlin might not have been the sole reason for her death. Injury occured while watching her in his home in the Royal Mall Apartments Sept. 15

Dr. Kohler said the girl may have died from “second impact syndrome” as a result of falling and hitting her head three days after Champlin injured her.

For more, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com