MIDDLETOWN, Ohio -- One of three women charged in connection with the beating death of a Middletown boy pleaded guilty Monday to obstruction of justice, the Journal-News reports.
Ramona Bostian, 56, of Licking County, is scheduled for sentencing Aug. 22. She faces up to 36 months in prison for the third-degree felony.
Bostian was arrested after police were called to Middletown's Parkway Inn for a report of a dead child on April 27. The child, 5-year-old Alexander Stephens, died two days later.
According to WCPO media partner the Journal-News, prosecutors alleged Ramona Bostian gave false information to authorities about what happened to Stephens.
The boys' mother, 26-year-old Theresa Hawkins-Stephens, and her friend, 29-year-old Rachel Bostian, are charged with murder, five counts of felony endangering children and two counts of kidnapping.
Rachel Bostian and Hawkins-Stephens are accused of tying up Alexander for about 22 hours on April 26 and, according to police, “severely” beating the boy on his head and body.
A week-long trial for Hawkins-Stephens is scheduled to begin Sept. 19. Rachel Bostian's trial is scheduled for Sept. 12.
