COLUMBUS, Ohio — A man appeared in court Wednesday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to charges related to the death of a 9-month-old boy.
The boy died Sept. 22, five days after medics rushed him from his family’s apartment in Italian Village to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Prosecutors say the infant suffered traumatic injuries and was placed on life support.
Court documents show the child’s mother, Billie Jo Tustin , admitted to throwing the boy across a room. She is now charged with charges including murder, aggravated murder, felonious assault and endangering children.
Anfernee Barthel, Tustin’s live-in boyfriend, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say he admitted to witnessing Tustin abuse the child.
“He stated he was present when the