A Whitehall father accused of becoming angry over a misplaced vape device was involved in an attack that left his two-month-old son with multiple brain bleeds. Hunter Dalton, 20, faced felonious assault and domestic violence charges.
The case dates back to when Whitehall police responded to a domestic violence call at Stonecrest Apartments off East Main Street. According to a police report relayed by WSYX ABC 6, Dalton became angry after losing track of a vape device while his girlfriend cared for their infant.
The incident included threats to kill Dalton's girlfriend and their infant, kicking the family dog, throwing a fan, and throwing the mother to the ground. She fled to the apartment complex's leasing office and called 911.
Officers Found the Baby Unresponsive
When officers arrived at the apartment, they found the two-month-old unresponsive and struggling to breathe in his crib. The infant was rushed to Nationwide Children's Hospital, where he was monitored by neurosurgeons for multiple brain bleeds.
Police interviews also revealed that the child's mother told investigators Dalton had strangled and assaulted her before the incident involving their son. Dalton faced felonious assault and domestic violence charges.
Dalton was initially held in Franklin County custody on a $1 million bond following his arrest, according to a report from FOX 28 Columbus, which noted he faced felonious assault and domestic violence charges. The same coverage said the family was not working with Franklin County Children Services beforehand, while a spokesperson expressed hurt over the incident.
How the Sentence Was Calculated
Dalton's case involved Ohio's sentencing structure for second-degree felonies. Under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.11, felonious assault involving serious physical harm is classified as a second-degree felony carrying a statutory range of 2 to 8 years in prison, mandatory post-release control of three years, and fines up to $15,000, according to the Botnick Law Firm. Felonious assault convictions are subject to restrictions on record sealing under Ohio law.
The available reports do not establish whether Reagan Tokes Law or another sentencing framework applied to Dalton's case, how any term was calculated, or who would determine any additional imprisonment. They also do not establish which outlet first reported the case or identify a sentencing decision by a judge.
A Small Piece of a Larger Problem
Franklin County Children Services handles child abuse and neglect cases, but the sources provided do not establish the number of referrals or investigations in 2023.
Whitehall's police department investigated the case. The sources provided do not establish the department's annual call volume or whether it has operated under multiyear strategic initiatives aimed at reducing violent crime. The long-term medical prognosis for Dalton's infant son has not been made public.
