The Middletown mother who admitted she tried to abandon her 6-year-old son, ran him over and then dumped his body in the Ohio River "is not showing much remorse," police said Monday.
Search and rescue teams are now searching for James Hutchinson's near Lawrenceburg, Indiana where they believe his body was thrown into the water Saturday night, Middletown Police Chief David Birk said.
During a Monday news conference, Birk said his detectives felt the situation was “unusual” after Brittany Gosney, James' mother, and her boyfriend James Hamilton reported James missing to police at the Middletown Police lobby at 10:16 a.m. Sunday.
The couple said he was wearing a red shirt and Batman pants, but Birk said they had conflicting stories.
He said eventually both admitted that James was dead.
On Friday, she took James and his older brother and sister, both second-graders, to Rush Run Park in Preble County, Birk said. He said she intended to leave James there, but it is unclear what she meant to do with her other children. They were unharmed.
Investigators have not said if she meant to leave James there temporarily or permanently.
At one point, James tried to get back into the car and Gosney sped away, dragging him.
Gosney returned 30 to 40 minutes later and found James dead in the parking lot of the park, according to police.
She took his body and her two other children home to Crawford Street in Middletown where they lived with Hamilton, Birk said.
The chief said Gosney and Hamilton waited until Saturday night, after the other children were asleep, to load James's body back into the car and drive him to the river. The next morning they reported him missing.
Birk said it is out of the ordinary for parents to come to the police station to report a missing child. Usually, parents call 911 immediately.
"Most of my kids are much older but this has really touched my soul and my heart," Birk said. "It's heartbreaking."
The 'bestest' hugs
It was hard for Middletown Superintendent Marlon Styles to speak Monday, but he said the community is heartbroken.
He said James was a “wonderful student and fun-loving kid," who other students described as giving the “bestest” hugs.
“He was a joyful soul who was loved at school,” Styles said, adding James was a kid who ran to school with a smile on his face.
James' brother and sister attended Rosa Parks Elementary as well, but it is unclear how long they have attended. Both of James' siblings are now in foster care and safe, Birk said.
In court, Hamilton said they had lived in Middletown about a month and before that stayed in Dayton hotel. Birk said they had lived in various hotels and spent some time in Kentucky as well.
Birk said Gosney and Hamilton had contact with child protective services prior to Sunday and Gosney has another child who has been adopted.
A celebration of life is planned at the stadium near Rosa Parks Elementary Tuesday at 6:45 p.m.
Rosa Parks Principal Tracy Neeley sent a letter to families Monday
"We are all mourning the loss of our friend James today. James was a happy and joyful soul who loved school," Neeley's message reads. "On the days he was in class, he would give hugs to all his teachers as he walked into school. A fun memory I have is the way his face would light up when he won the lucky lunch tray! First graders can find the joy in just about anything. I will always remember his bright joy."
The letter says a grief support team is working with school counselors and other staff members to help students and staff deal with the loss. Concerned parents can call Rosa Parks Elementary at 513-420-4552 with questions or to speak with a counselor.
'Not showing much remorse'
Gosney "is not showing much remorse," and has not said why she left James at the park, though she admitted doing it, Birk said.
Birk said Hamilton, 42, was not with Gosney, his girlfriend, at the park Friday night when James was killed, but helped dumped the body in the river. Birk said Hamilton is cooperating.
Gosney is charged with murder, gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.
Hamilton is charged with gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. He was not present in Preble County when James was killed, Birk said.
Both Gosney and Hamilton appeared in Middletown Municipal Court Monday though Birk said it is unclear if they will be tried in Butler County since some of the alleged crime occurred in Preble County.
Gosney and Hamilton were appointed lawyers Monday.
Gosney told the judge she had a learning disability and didn't understand what was happening. Birk said at the press conference she knows right from wrong and understood her rights.
Gosney's bond was set at $1 million. Hamilton's bond was set at $800,000. They are scheduled to appear in court again on March 8 for a preliminary hearing.
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