Parents, grandmother charged in death of 18-month-old malnourished Vermilion boy

VERMILION, Ohio - The parents of the 18-month-old Vermillion boy who died of malnourishment have been arrested and will appear in court later this week.

In November, paramedics were called to the house of Adrienne Bartholomew and James Brothers where they found Isaac Alan dead and six other children, most of which were malnourished.

Bartholomew, 35, and Brothers, 33, were charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, five counts of endangering children and five counts of patient endangerment, Chief Deputy Jared Oliver said. Both are being held on $28,000 cash bond.

Deputies also arrested the 18-month-old’s grandmother. Deborah Nelson, 62, was charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter, five counts of endangering children and five counts of patient endangerment. Her bond is set at $320,000, Oliver said.

All three are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. In the meantime, they are being held at the Erie County Jail.

In her call to 911, Bartholomew described Isaac Alan as “stiff as a board” and could be heard asking family members “When’s the last time somebody went in there to check?”

The autopsy said the boy died from being malnourished and dehydrated. Four other children were taken to local hospitals. Authorities said many of the children have mental or physical disabilities.