Hocking County, OH (9/19/2022) – According to Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, on Sunday, September 18, 2022, detectives, with the assistance of the Logan-Hocking Special Response Team, executed a search warrant at a residence on Bear Run Road concerning a sexual assault investigation.
When law enforcement personnel entered the residence, which was in deplorable condition, they located a three-year-old child locked inside a cage, which was secured with zipties. The cage that the infant was in was filled with bugs, soiled bedding, and a cup full of spoiled milk. A two-year-old was also found walking around the residence holding a methamphetamine pipe.
The parents of the infants left the children and fled the residence due to their involvement with the sexual assault investigation. The grandmother of the infants, who has custody of the children, was able to be detained and taken into custody.
The two infants were able to be safely taken into emergency custody with the assistance of South Central Ohio Job And Family Services and placed in emergency foster care, for safe keeping.
The grandmother, Ella Webb, 61 of Logan, was arrested and charged with Endangering Children, a 3rd Degree Felony. She was transported to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office Jail to await her arraignment in Hocking County Municipal Court.
Additionally, 3rd Degree Felony charges of Endangering Children were filed against the parents, Franklin “TJ” Varney, 38, of Logan, and Megan Smith, 25, of Logan.
Hocking County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Caleb J. Moritz said, “I very, very strongly encourage Mr. Varney and Ms. Smith to immediately surrender themselves to law enforcement. If they choose to run from their responsibilities, as they did tonight, the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office will tirelessly leverage every local, State, and Federal resource available to bring these two to justice.”
On Monday, September 19th, both Varney and Smith were taken into custody after they were chased by law enforcement on foot through the woods near their residence on Bear Run Road.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these individuals is encouraged to contact the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office at 740-385-2131 or send an anonymous text message to 740-380-HCSO.
