Infant found not breathing, later dies. Parents charged with murder, Columbus police say

Two parents have been arrested in their infant child’s death in early March, the Columbus Police Department announced Thursday.

Police said they received a report of an infant not breathing around 12:45 p.m on March 2. The infant, who wasn’t yet 2 months old, was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced dead, a news release from CPD says.

The child’s parents, Ariel Simmons and Ryan McMilleon were initially arrested on separate charges, according to police. McMilleon, whose age wasn’t available, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and on a warrant for contempt of court, the release says. Police said Simmons, 31, was arrested on a warrant for truancy.

Evidence was gathered during a thorough investigation by CPD’s Special Victims Unit for additional charges against Simmons and McMilleon, the release says. Simmons and McMilleon were arrested on Tuesday and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children, police said.

Police said both Simmons and McMilleon were scheduled to appear in Recorder’s Court at 1:30 p.m. Friday.