Account
Apr 21, 2021
Apr 07, 2022
James
Hutchinson
10
6
36 inches
45 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
In late February 2021, a distressing call was made to the Middletown, Ohio police department regarding the disappearance of six-year-old James Hutchinson. His mother, Brittany Gosney, and her boyfriend, James Hamilton, reported the young boy missing from their home. This initial report launched an immediate search for James, a first-grade student at Rosa Parks Elementary School, who was known for his red hair and bright eyes. However, the narrative provided by Gosney and Hamilton quickly unraveled under police questioning, revealing a story far more tragic than a simple missing person case. The couple gave conflicting accounts of the events, which raised suspicions and led to a horrifying confession from Gosney. The truth, as it emerged, was that Gosney had driven James and his two older siblings, aged seven and nine, to Rush Run Nature Preserve in Preble County in the early morning hours with the intention of abandoning them. She told investigators that she was under pressure from Hamilton to get rid of the children. When James tried to get back into the car as she drove away, he held onto the door handle and was dragged for a distance, sustaining a fatal head injury. Gosney left the park, but returned thirty to forty minutes later to find James deceased. She then placed his body in the car with her other two children and returned to their home on Crawford Street. The following night, Gosney and Hamilton drove James's body to the I-275 bridge near Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where they disposed of his body in the Ohio River, weighing it down with a concrete block. Following her confession, Brittany Gosney was charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. James Hamilton was charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. The two other children who were in the home were removed by state authorities. Despite extensive search efforts in the Ohio River, which were often hampered by treacherous water conditions, James Hutchinson's body has never been recovered. Gosney later pleaded guilty to murder and two counts of felony child endangerment and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 21 years. Hamilton pleaded guilty to kidnapping, gross abuse of a corpse, and two counts of child endangerment, receiving a sentence of up to 19 years in prison. The case sent shockwaves through the Middletown community and beyond, leaving a lasting impact on all who learned of the young boy's tragic fate. The community held vigils to remember James, a child described as joyful and a bright light to those who knew him.
Feb 27, 2021
Middletown
Ohio
Butler County
Unknown
103082
Middletown Division of Police
Middletown
Ohio
Butler County
45044
Kristi Hughes
Detective
1 Donham Plaza, Ohio
5134257700
Local
Law Enforcement
21-010045
2021-02-28
Middletown Division of Police
6040
Red/Auburn
Blue
Blue
05/21/2026
