Northwest Ohio man pleads not guilty in toddler’s death

FINDLAY, Ohio (AP) — A northwest Ohio man pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in the death of his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son.

Brent Houdeshell, 28, entered the plea Wednesday in a Findlay courtroom. His public defender declined to comment today.

The Courier newspaper reports an autopsy showed the toddler, Breydon Farrell, died of a brain injury caused by blunt force trauma. He also had a broken leg and bruises on his face, arms, legs, back and feet.

Rescue crews found Breydon unresponsive at a Findlay apartment March 31. Police were told Breydon fell out of his crib.

Houdeshell also faces child-endangering and records-tampering charges. He’s in jail on a $500,000 bond.

He was on medical furlough from a one-year jail sentence for drunken driving when Breydon died.