METRO DIGEST || Struthers child endangerment

Adults charged with child endangerment

STRUTHERS

Police charged two adults for the purported abuse of a 5-year-old girl. Lisa Marenkovic, 27, and Beau Geidner, 27, both of Struthers, face felony child-endangerment charges.

Police obtained a warrant and searched a Fourth Street home Monday in connection with the case.

Geidner had been arrested several times previously, according to online court records, on charges including domestic violence, drug abuse and theft.

Detective Jeff Lewis said Marenkovic did not answer the door or return calls. The 5-year-old girl hadn’t attended school for several weeks, Lewis said.

Randy Muth, executive director at Mahoning County Children Services, declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but said his agency is working with police. Children Services has obtained custody of the child on an emergency basis, he said.

Defendant outburst delays start of trial

WARREN

Before a trial began Tuesday morning in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, a defendant who decided to represent himself unleashed an angry outburst at Judge W. Wyatt McKay, resulting in a delay.

Kevin L. Evans, 38, owner of KC Quality Custom Care Auto, 3080 Mahoning Ave. NW, was taken from the courtroom in handcuffs and told he was in contempt of court.

Evans is on trial on several counts of failing to pay state sales taxes for the business for several years. If convicted, he could get several years in prison.

Later in the morning, deputies brought Evans back to the courthouse, where he and the judge agreed that Evans would be allowed to represent himself at his trial. If he had to be removed again, however, the trial would resume without him, the judge said.

Closing arguments will begin at 1:30 p.m. today, followed by jury deliberations.

Campbell scholarships

CAMPBELL

Campbell Memorial High School, 280 Sixth St., will host a scholarship night from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the high-school cafeteria for seniors and their parents.

Attendants will learn about the FAFSA form and the importance of filing. Also during the evening, the Campbell Alumni Association will share its scholarship opportunities with students. All parents and seniors are invited.

Robbery charge

WARREN

Bruce B. Von Bergen, 34, of Lexington Avenue Northwest, is in Trumbull County Jail without eligibility to make bond after he was charged with robbing a minister and his wife last week.

A not-guilty plea to aggravated robbery was entered for him Monday in Warren Municipal Court.

The pastor, 43, and his wife, 34, of Kinsman, reported that they were trying to help a “male friend” by giving him a ride from Lexington Avenue to Linda Drive Northwest at 10 a.m. Feb. 1.

When the suspect got out, he pointed a handgun at their heads and demanded their wallets, which contained more than $700. The victims filed a police report after checking with parole officers in Youngstown. Warren police arrested Von Bergen Friday morning at his house.