TOLEDO, Ohio – Nearly two years after the death of 7-year-old Kristopher Snyder, prosecutors have charged the boy’s mother and her boyfriend in what investigators describe as a case of fatal neglect and starvation.
The Charges
Joshua Mulvey, 28 – arrested last week, charged with:
1 count of first-degree involuntary manslaughter
1 count of third-degree child endangerment
Samantha Hardiman, 29 – the boy’s mother, still at large, indicted on:
2 counts of murder
3 counts of child endangerment
1 count of involuntary manslaughter
Authorities say the pair failed to provide food and care for Kristopher, who lived with cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
Discovery of Kristopher’s Death
On June 2, 2023, Toledo police responded to a home on Freeman Street after receiving a call about a deceased child. Inside, officers found Kristopher already dead.
In a statement, police said:
“The case appears to be a homicide due to neglect.”
Autopsy Results
The Lucas County Coroner’s Office later ruled Kristopher’s death a homicide. The cause was determined to be:
Malnutrition and dehydration associated with cerebral palsy
Epilepsy listed as a contributing condition
Shocking details revealed that Kristopher weighed just 19 pounds at the time of his death — less than the average weight of a healthy one-year-old. Prosecutors described his body as “completely emaciated.”
Prosecutors: A Duty of Care Ignored
During a bond hearing for Mulvey, Chief Criminal Prosecutor Jennifer Liptack-Wilson argued that since Mulvey had lived in the home for about two years, he shared responsibility for Kristopher’s well-being.
“He owed the child a basic duty to make sure his nutritional needs were met,” she told the court.
Mulvey Pleads Not Guilty
Mulvey, represented by a public defender, pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lawyer requested he be released with an ankle monitor, but the judge denied the request.
Mulvey himself addressed the court, saying:
“I do not think I should be here in the first place, but that’s for another day. I will be a part of this process. I need answers myself.”
Judge Joe McNamara set his bond at $300,000. Mulvey remains in the Lucas County Correctional Center and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Sept. 10.
Mother Still Wanted
Meanwhile, Hardiman has not been located since her indictment. Authorities are urging the public to assist with information on her whereabouts.
The tragic case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by children with special needs and the importance of consistent caregiving. As legal proceedings continue, the community and Kristopher’s extended family are left mourning the loss of a child whose life ended in neglect.
