A Warren couple is now in front of a jury in Cuyahoga County, accused in the death of their 11-year-old son while the family was living in a Cleveland-area hotel. The boy, identified by authorities as Hunter Towne, was found unresponsive in a room at an Extended Stay America Premier Suites in Independence in January 2024. His parents, John Towne and Ahhra Pugh, have pleaded not guilty to multiple felony counts.
What prosecutors say
The Cuyahoga County medical examiner ruled Hunter's death "caregiver medical neglect," and police told investigators that he had Hirschsprung's disease along with other long-standing health problems. Officers reported that the family, which included five other children and two pets, had been living at the hotel in what they described as "deplorable conditions," according to Cleveland 19.
Charges and arraignment history
Prosecutors have charged Towne and Pugh with murder, involuntary manslaughter, endangering children, felonious assault, permitting child abuse, and tampering with evidence, and both have pleaded not guilty to every count. The pair were indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury last year and later arraigned in Common Pleas Court, as reported by WHIO.
Indictment and bond
Prosecutors presented the case to a grand jury in October 2024, and a judge set bond at $500,000 during early court proceedings, according to court records. The couple's pretrial hearings stretched across months before the trial finally opened this week, as detailed by Cleveland 19.
Where the case is being heard
The trial is underway in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas at the county Justice Center in downtown Cleveland, the courthouse where felony cases are tried. Court dockets and filings for the General Division are posted on the court's official site. More details are available on the information page for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
Local child-safety context
Child deaths tied to neglect have long been a concern for county agencies. The Child Fatality Review Board examines these cases and issues and provides prevention recommendations. Advocates say high-profile tragedies like this one tend to expose chronic gaps in housing stability and access to medical care for families dealing with serious, ongoing health conditions. For a broader look at trends and recommendations, see the county's report from the Cuyahoga County Child Fatality Review.
Legal stakes
The charges against Towne and Pugh include murder and involuntary manslaughter, both felonies under Ohio law that carry the potential for long prison terms if the couple is convicted. Ohio's homicide statutes define these offenses and set sentencing ranges in Chapter 2903 of the Ohio Revised Code. The statutory language is available in the Ohio Revised Code.
Attorneys for Towne and Pugh have entered not-guilty pleas on their behalf, and the trial will determine whether prosecutors can prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Court observers will be watching filings and testimony closely as the case continues in Cuyahoga County.
