Court sends Coonrod case to grand jury
Lead Summary
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GREENFIELD – The father of two Greenfield children killed in a structure fire a week ago appeared in Highland County/Madison Township Court Monday, March 15.
Wesley Coonrod, 42, whose two young children were killed in a fire March 7, is being held on $1 million bond at the Highland County Justice Center.
According to Greenfield Police Chief Tim Hester, Coonrod was originally charged with two counts of child endangering, both felonies of the third degree.
However, Hester said, those charges are "separate from the fire."
During his initial arraignment, Coonrod's bond was set at $500,000 on each of the charges.
Hester said additional charges are possible, pending the investigation into the fire by the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Richard Federle Jr. of Wilmington was appointed as Coonrod's attorney during the arraignment hearing.
According to the court, during a preliminary hearing Monday, March 15, Judge Robert Judkins "found probable cause to believe a crime had been committed," and the case was bound over for presentation to a Highland County grand jury.
Coonrod appeared with Federle. The state was represented by Highland County Prosecutor Jim Grandey.
Thomas Coonrod, 4, and Stephen Coonrod, 3, died in an early morning fire March 7 at a one-story duplex on Lafayette Street in Greenfield.
Hester said Wesley Coonrod was arrested after officers arrived at the fire. Coonrod "was extremely intoxicated and in no condition to be providing care for the children. The house was on fire and the children were trapped inside," Hester said.
On Monday, March 15, Federle said he felt that bond was "extremely exorbitant” and requested a large reduction on the bond.
Grandey said the defendant did not exercise his duty of care of the children and asked that bond remain the same.
Judge Judkins said, “This is one of the most tragic and grievous cases I have ever heard. These children are dead."
Bond was continued at $500,000 per charge, and Coonrod was taken back to the Highland County Justice Center.