Left inset: Rachel Ankney. Right inset: Dustin Willmarth (Wood County Jail). Background: The Ohio cemetery where Rachel Ankney and Dustin Willmarth allegedly brought their kids to fight other children (Village of Weston).
An Ohio couple allegedly encouraged their kids to fight other children at a cemetery, leaving several children injured in the melee. Cops say one of the adults even jumped in.
Rachel Ankney, 41, and Dustin Willmarth, 34, are facing multiple charges in connection with the cemetery brawl, with Ankney being arrested this week for endangering children and contributing to the unruliness or delinquency of a child.
Willmarth, meanwhile, is charged with endangering children and felonious assault after allegedly hitting and kicking several kids who were fighting his son and Ankney's son. He also allegedly hit a 13-year-old with his car.
Court documents reviewed by Law&Crime say Willmarth drove the couple's two sons to Weston Cemetery in Wood County with Ankney's permission "for a large fight." Both boys and girls were allegedly involved in the fight and a witness spotted Willmarth "striking and kicking juveniles that were present at the scene," according to a probable cause affidavit.
"During the incident, Dustin fled the scene [in his car], striking a 13-year-old male … causing minor injuries," the affidavit says.
"Dustin Willmarth did knowingly transport his son … and his girlfriend's son … to the Cemetery in Weston to engage in a physical fight," according to police. "Several juveniles, including [the couple's two sons] suffered minor injuries as a result of fighting."
At least one child had to be rushed to a local hospital in an ambulance. The extent of their injuries was not clear.
A motive for the fight has not been released.
Both Ankney and Willmarth are out on bond.