by Steve Wiandt
Reporter
Cuyahoga Falls -- Craig Richard Wilson pleaded not guilty March 26 to a murder charge in connection with the death of his infant son, Camryn. Camryn, who would have turned 3 months old April 1, died March 25.
Wilson, 28, issued the not guilty plea in Judge Kim Hoover's courtroom at Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court March 26. Judge Hoover set Wilson's bond at $250,000 cash. Following his appearance, Wilson was taken into custody by police and placed in the Cuyahoga Falls Jail until he was moved later that day to the Summit County Jail.
Wilson's attorney, Jon Sinn, told Hoover his client was waiving a preliminary hearing to transfer the case directly to a Summit County grand jury.
The Akron Children's Hospital had notified Cuyahoga Falls police March 13 that doctors were treating Camryn Wilson, who had been brought in by his mother, for severe head and body injuries. The baby was taken off life support on March 25, Sinn said.
A representative with the Summit County Medical Examiner's office reported an autopsy was performed March 26. The cause and manner of death are listed as "pending" to allow for "completion of routine laboratory testing and review of records," said the county coroner's office in a release to the media.
Cuyahoga Falls police detectives say subsequent investigation revealed Craig Wilson allegedly assaulted the child the evening of March 12 in the family home where Wilson and wife, Crystal, live.
Craig Wilson was arrested and charged with felonious assault and child endangering March 13. These previous two charges will be presented to the Summit County Common Pleas Court grand jury. Sinn said the child endangering charge will likely stay, but the charge of felonious assault will be replaced by a more serious one because the baby died.
"Your honor, my client has been entirely cooperative," Sinn said in court. "He continues to be cooperative. He's got the support of his family during a very difficult time. His family is grieving ... It's our intention to bring closure to this matter as quickly as possible."
Wilson's parents and other relatives were in the courtroom during his appearance.
"The family appreciates the support the community has shown," Sinn told reporters outside the courtroom. "I will assure the community that we are taking every step to cooperate fully with the police and the prosecution in this matter."
Sinn repeated that Wilson and his family want closure as soon as possible.
"It's a very difficult time," said the Akron attorney. "We ask for the community's support for Camryn, for Camryn's mother, and for all the family out there that's lost a grandson as well as a son."
Sinn said his client is "not denying blame for this. This is a young man who's taken responsibility for his actions."
Sinn said Craig Wilson voluntarily gave himself up to police. Sinn notified the police, he said, when Camryn was taken off life support the evening of March 25.
Wilson is "devastated," Sinn told reporters outside the courtroom, "but it's disingenuous to ask for sympathy for him. I would just ask for understanding and sympathy for the family. There's a lot of people struggling with this.
"Regardless [of the outcome of the case, Wilson is] facing a lengthy prison sentence," Sinn said. "But he's not running away from that."
Camryn Jakeb Wilson was the first baby born in the area in 2008. He was born in Akron City Hospital at 12:33 a.m. Jan. 1 to Craig and Crystal Wilson.
A benevolent fund in Camryn Jakeb Wilson's name has been set up at all branches of FirstMerit Bank.
Sinn stressed none of the money will go toward Craig Wilson's legal defense.
E-mail: swiandt@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3915