On Sunday, September 18th, detectives from the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Logan-Hocking Special Response Team, executed a search warrant at a Bear Run Road residence in relation to a sexual assault investigation.
When law enforcement personnel entered the filthy residence, they discovered a three-year-old child locked inside a cage that was secured with zip ties. The infant’s cage was infested with insects and contained unsanitary bedding and spoiled milk. A two-year-old was also observed carrying a methamphetamine pipe while walking around the residence.
Due to their involvement in the sexual assault investigation, the infants’ parents abandoned their children and fled the residence. The grandmother with custody of the infants was detained and taken into custody.
With the assistance of South Central Ohio Job and Family Services, the two infants were taken into emergency foster care.
Ella Webb, 61, of Logan, was arrested and charged with Endangering Children, a Felony of the Third Degree. She was taken to the Fairfield County Jail to await her arraignment in Hocking County Municipal Court.
In addition, charges of Endangering Children in the Third Degree were filed against the parents, Franklin “TJ” Varney, 38, and Megan Smith, 25. The court was requested to issue national arrest warrants.
Chief Deputy of the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, Caleb J. Moritz, stated, “I urge Mr. Varney and Ms. Smith to immediately surrender to law enforcement. If they choose to evade their responsibilities, as they did tonight, the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office will utilize every available local, state, and federal resource to bring them to justice.”
Please contact the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office at 740-385-2131 or send an anonymous text message to 740-380-HCSO if you have any information regarding the whereabouts of these individuals.
Update
On Monday, September 19th, both Varney and Smith were taken into custody after they were chased by law enforcement on foot through the woods near their residence on Bear Run Road.