Just anything weird is fine to tell me. You're not going to tell me anything that's going to surprise me. Okay? >> Yeah. I mean >> Did you hurt your baby? That's what I'm talking to you, James. And he's telling us he's coming around. So, this is going to be a sleepover. We'll get you to the bathroom here in a second. Um You are willing to take a polygraph, and or you don't know anything about anything. >> At 10:16 on a Sunday morning, Brittany Gosney calls police in Middletown, Ohio to report her 6-year-old son missing. She is 29. She will sit in this room for the next 3 hours. What she does not know is that her partner is in another room, and that her three surviving children have already been asked what happened. >> I'm going to tell you what happened. I'm Detective Rooter, okay? They called me and my partner out for anything to do with children, missing children, children that have been abused, whatever. That's what me and one other guy do here at the PD. Okay? So, this is real important, this part. Is you have to be 100% honest with me with everything. Okay? Cuz we don't have this We're missing a 6-year-old little boy, and we're trying to figure out where he's at. I got to make sure he's safe. Okay? So, you know, >> James Robert Hutchinson was born on the 30th of June, 2014, in Butler County, Ohio. He was 6 years old and in the first grade. He had ADHD and struggled to sit still, and his mother would tell detectives he was a good boy who had his tantrums like any 6-year-old does. The family had moved into the house 3 weeks earlier. There were no mattresses. She had been calling around asking for furniture vouchers, and nobody was helping. He slept on bedding on the floor next to his brother and his sister. When he had a bad night, they all slept downstairs. On the morning of Sunday, the 28th of February, 2021, Brittany Gosney told Middletown police her son had gone out of the back door in the night. The call came in at 10:16. By her own account, the boy had been missing since about half past 4:00. That gap is the first thing the detective puts to her. Police searched with dogs and a helicopter. Her partner, James Hamilton, was taken to another room and interviewed separately. So were the children. Two days earlier, on the 26th of February, James Hutchinson had died. Before she says a word, the detectives already have three things. The children, who have been interviewed, the partner, who is in another room. One of the children has told them the boy was in trouble the night before and was given bread instead of dinner. A daughter has told them the two Jameses did not get along. In the room where the boy slept, there are scratches on the floor. There is a needle by the side door, and there [clears throat] are no mattresses anywhere in the house. The detective will offer her a polygraph. She will agree to it. It will never happen because before it can, her partner starts talking. >> But you have to be honest with me with everything, no matter what the circumstances are. Okay? So, you can remove your mask if you would. If you don't care. Do you care to take off your mask? Okay. >> As long as you don't have COVID. >> I don't. Do you? >> No. >> Then we're good. Okay. So, what happened? What time did you guys go to bed last night? >> Well, the kids go to bed at 9:00. >> Okay. >> And we normally go to bed at 10:00. >> Mhm. >> Um last Monday, I told him told them all it was 9:00 9:00 time to go to >> Mhm. >> So, they all went upstairs to their rooms. And I went upstairs a little bit later to see if they were asleep. Sure. And they were all asleep. So, then that's when I came down waited a couple minutes just to see if they might have come downstairs or something, and then I went to bed. >> Okay. What time did you get up this morning? >> Um he woke me up at 8:00. >> He woke you up at 8:00? Uh did he wake you up anytime before that to say that um James was missing? >> Not that I remember. I >> Okay. >> he tried to wake me up several times, but >> But you were on medicine >> I'm on medicine, so >> What kind of medicine do you take? >> I take anxiety meds. >> Okay. I do too. So, uh what's it called? What do you take? >> Um hydroxyzine three times a day. And then >> This is where I need to be honest with me. It is what it is. Okay? Do you use any other type of narcotics, drugs, illegal drugs, anything? Do you smoke weed? Do you Okay. You don't use heroin. You don't use uh >> No. Our family members have had to witness that stuff, so >> Okay. Do you know Do you know if your uh boyfriend does? Does he use any type of dope at all? Not that you know of. Well, you would know more than anybody. That's why I'm asking. You're not going to get him in any trouble. I just need to know if you're being honest with me. That's what I'm trying to feel you out on. >> I've never seen him I mean, we smoke cigarettes. >> He is not asking about drugs. He is testing whether she will answer a question she has no reason >> A lot of people smoke weed. If you're going to be honest, I just need you to be honest with me, honestly. Don't overread into any of my questions, okay? I promise you. >> Um So, he wakes you up at 8:00 and tells you what? Or you wake up Do you wake up on your own at 8:00, or does he wake you up at 8:00? >> Well, he woke me up and cuz he was looking around first. He said he had come in there several several times before, >> Mhm. >> to try to wake me up. And he said I didn't respond to any time. So, he just went outside and looked around, went through all the rooms, the closets, and all that, and he couldn't find him anywhere. So, then the next thing he thought to do was just go around a couple blocks >> Mhm. >> to see if he might be close by. >> Did he walk there, or did he drive there, or what did he do for that part? >> He drove around. >> Okay. >> Um but he came back and woke me up and he was like, "You know James is gone?" I was like, "What?" And I was like, "No, I thought he was upstairs asleep." And I even woke up the brother and sister, maybe see they could they might have seen him up about moving around or something, and they said they didn't hear nothing, they didn't see him. >> So the baby's name is James Hutchinson? >> Mhm. >> Okay. What's his date of birth? >> 6:30 14. He's a baby baby sensitive. I'm kind of worried about him. >> Well, sure. Yeah, I mean people want their time though, huh? >> He's I mean he has ADHD. >> Mhm. >> He struggles really bad in school. He struggles to pay attention. I mean he's Other than that, I guess school and stuff he's They said he's good in school. He tries to focus. >> He's physically healthy, no health issues. Okay. Good boy at home? >> Yeah. >> Pretty good boy? How do you guys discipline him? Like what he does? >> Stand in the corner for a minute. >> Well, those I mean I know Again, there's no I spank my kids. My kids are grown now, but I did spank my kids. It's no no wrong with that. Do you spank them? Do you just ground them? Do you take stuff from them? >> Well, my son with the red hair is the biggest He likes playing like video games and stuff like that. >> Mhm. >> Well, other than that, he's pretty good kid. >> What's the What's his address? And how long have you guys lived there? >> We just moved in there. >> You just like over yesterday or a week ago or something? >> two weeks. At the beginning of the month. >> The beginning of the month, okay. So beginning of February. >> Yeah. >> So about four three four weeks four weeks is Okay. Um Is the room that James sleeps in You know the pillow in there and there's like some scratches on the floor? You know what I'm talking about? I don't know. It looks like maybe with a toy maybe or something like that. >> The kids play out there. >> Everything she says about that house is true. It is the only part of the morning that is. >> No, I maybe sometimes a little later. But other than that, cuz he's used to early morning work. >> Mhm. >> I normally sleep in until about 8:00, but or later. I know he's like a couple days I've slept till 12:00. >> All right. Has James ever walked out I mean been missing before? >> Um he's he was missing once before. >> How long ago was that? >> Um I want to say it was the first of the month, but it could have been later than that, but I know it was sometime this month. >> All right. From that house? >> Yes. >> All right. So he was missing once before from that house, and how long was he gone for? >> Um I don't know when he was outside, but we found out that well he found him at the I honestly don't have a clue. >> Okay. Um I know where did you meet James at, Hamilton? >> Um at his uh ex-wife's house. >> How did that turn out? >> Um well I was with somebody else at the time, and basically we were homeless. >> Mhm. >> And um I've known him for several years. >> You've known James for several years? >> Several. >> Okay. >> And um I figured since we was homeless, call him up and see if he's paying, can we move in till we can find something else, get situated, or whatever. And he said, "Yeah, that's fine. We'll come get you guys." >> Mhm. >> So we came to his and we lived there for I want to say like husband and wife had a big argument, and >> The wife? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> They had a big argument or whatever, and uh Um, he found out she was on him and a whole bunch of crazy nonsense. I didn't want to get involved. I was like, "Okay." So, I try to stay out of other people's business. >> Mhm. >> But >> How long have you guys been romantically involved? >> For almost a year. >> For almost a year? And then you just moved in together for the first time? Or were you living >> Well, we was living Well, once they started arguing and all that, we Neither one of us had a place to live. So, we went to the hotel in Dayton. >> Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> Cuz we was trying to find cheap hotels we could afford. >> Mhm. >> So, that was the cheapest one we could find. So, we just went and got our COVID stuff and had to do their work on the computer. Their youngest teacher tried to help them out. I tried my best to help them out, but I was >> Well >> Anytime I have a question about their work, I try to contact the teacher when they're when I think they're not busy. Cuz they keep changing the days of the Well, they go by the the initials of your last name. So, mine goes Monday and Tuesday. And then the other kids that have different last names goes [clears throat] Well, they used to go Thursday and Friday. Now they put it to Wednesday and Thursday. >> So, everybody gets a 3-day weekend. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And then we have remote They Well, they normally have remote learning on Wednesdays. >> Mhm. >> And now they just switched it to Friday. So. >> All right. So, I've been a policeman for 27 years. Um I've been assigned to detectives for 10 years. >> He has stopped asking about the boy. From here, he is describing himself. >> Um, okay. I'm really good at my job. So, I'm going to find your boy, okay? Um And my partner's really good at his job. that's what we do. We won't leave here until we find this boy. I need you to be um you know, if you can you can think of anything you need to talk to me about, then I need you to make sure you tell me, okay? Um if you're protecting yourself because maybe something went awry and the boy's hurt, then I need to know that kind of stuff. If you're protecting James, your boyfriend, from something he may have done accidentally, then I need to know that. Uh I want to ask you to take a polygraph exam. Do you know what that is? It's a lie detector test. Okay? And um cuz I there's something going on here. Something's not right here. I've done this like I said, I've I've interviewed a hundred hundreds of people over my career and you know, my job is to help them through that because sometimes it is what it is. It It It an act Something happened and you parents freak out and um you know, don't know what to do, okay? So, I my job is to I'm going to go talk to James here in a few minutes and I'm sure he's going to tell me a little bit different story. Okay? Because that's what I get. That's what I find when people aren't telling me the whole truth about everything. Um you can help yourself out tremendously if you know anything about anything that happened because if I prove otherwise that you didn't tell me the whole truth, then that doesn't look good for you, okay? That's not going to be good. If you're forthcoming with me now, I can deal with whatever happened. >> That is the offer. Tell me it was an accident and we go through it together. >> I'm going to find what happened. I suspect James or this is like I got mad at the boy last night and he I spanked him and he took off out the door or just anything's weird, it's fine to tell me. You're not going to tell me anything's going to surprise me. Okay? >> No. I mean >> Did you hurt your baby? >> Yeah. >> Now, do you know >> my kids. I would never >> Okay. do you know who hurt your baby? All right, do you know your baby's whereabouts right now? Okay. Do you Do you suspect James is doing anything to your baby? Okay. You're 100% sure on that one? >> Yeah, he goes in my daughter's room every day. >> Okay. All right, watch what she answers. >> I need to use >> All right, then hang tight for a few more minutes, okay? I got a polygraph guy coming in, okay? And he's going to ask you the same questions pretty much that I asked you. If you think you know the whereabouts of your baby or if you know what happened to uh James, okay? Um you know before you go through that process, again, I'm going to ask one more time is there anything you need to tell me before I walk out of this room? Cuz I feel like there is. I feel like there's something you're holding back from me. >> Well, I I can't remember exactly what time he woke me up. >> Well, I'm not worried about that. I understand that. >> Or what time he was up or what >> Well, I'm a little confused that the baby's been missing since 4:30-ish, we'll say. Okay, that's peculiar to me. Do you understand why? Do you see that? >> Because it's a lot of hours >> It's a lot of hours. You're missing a 6-year-old, a first-grader. And the police aren't called. So, obviously that draws suspicion. Okay. Um you know >> They're about to know what time it is, though. >> Well, [clears throat] it's probably 11:00-ish right now. I don't know what time exactly is either. Probably 11:30, 12:00 by now. Okay. >> I don't think the last time he was in my daughter's room was >> Okay. Well, and then, you know, the police aren't called. The police aren't anything. Do you have a cell phone with you? >> Yeah. >> Let's see that. >> My mom's sister's calling right now, so >> It's okay. What kind of cell phone is that? >> Um it's through Boost. It's I don't know what kind of phone it is. know what kind of van it is. >> This model? >> Yes. >> What's the um What's the nearly 6 hours? He says it draws suspicion. She says she does not pay attention to time. >> You should check with him. He'll do better than me. He He like He does this stuff for a living. So, I'll take his You can double check. All right. >> You can double check with him to make sure. I'm not sure. >> I can't trust you enough that I'm not I'm I'm very concerned not only for for your boy, okay? And I'm very concerned that there's something you're not telling me. Again, I I I read people really well. >> Mhm. >> And I'm you know, I'm very concerned that you're going to let me walk out of here and not tell me something you should have told me. >> [clears throat] >> Okay? Again, if I find out differently, you know, you're look you could possibly be looking at criminal charges down the road if you're not telling me everything, okay? Cuz this is serious. I'm missing a 6-year-old boy. I hope he just ran off on his own. Okay? But something's not clicking with me, okay? [clears throat] >> His family tried to see if he was on okay and stuff like that, probably. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Could they come in here? >> last time you saw your baby was 9:00 last night. >> Yes. >> And the baby's been missing since 4:00-ish, 4:30-ish, whatever. And nobody's called the police since then, until 10:00. >> Well, we came here at 9:00 something, I believe it was. >> Well, I can tell you the exact time. 10:16. It's over. I'm going to get you to the bathroom in a second. Um You are you to take a polygraph and say that you don't know anything about anything? Okay. This Hutchinson? >> Hutchinson? >> Yes. Last name Hutchinson? >> H u t c h i n. Yes. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> So, he does not have the same last name as you. They all have the same last name Hutchinson. Tell me that. It's my It's my experience that the most truth you're going to get out of anybody is from a child. And both [clears throat] of the You know, I got a six and a or a seven and eight nine-year-old or eight-year-old almost or nine-year-old almost that is telling me that he got in trouble, so he wasn't getting He wasn't allowed to have He didn't have his dinner, but he got bread and something to drink instead. Why would they tell me that? >> I have no idea. They They had bread They had They They had bread for lunch. >> Okay. >> I don't know if they kind of got lunch and dinner confused. >> Okay. Was it Was he punished by not getting any type of food at some point yesterday? Maybe not dinner, but maybe lunch. Maybe that's what they're getting confused. But they had lunch with sandwiches. >> The children were interviewed separately. >> They had lunch. >> Yes. >> What the kids are talking about. >> I have no idea. >> Okay. Is Is James your boyfriend? Is that who you're talking about? Has he ever [clears throat] hit you? >> No. >> Put his hands on you? >> No. >> Have you ever seen him put his hands on the kids? >> No. >> What was the needle that we found down at the There was a needle found at the side door. Or there supposedly was unlocked or locked or something like that, but Do you know anything about that? So, do you use needles for any of your medications? Did Did actually your neighbor come over? >> Rick. >> Rick. Nice guy. Super nice guy. He's a nice guy. I don't know him like you do, but >> Well, I don't really know him either. He's known longer than me. I just met him when we moved in there. >> So, you said something about James does work like doing electrical work for houses. >> Yes. >> Like rentals, I would assume. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Like he gets them ready. >> Who does he work for? >> Taylor. This is all I can remember his name is Taylor. >> Taylor. And what's Taylor just giving you the keys to these Are they all vacant, I would assume? >> Um, I'm not sure. >> Do they go and clean them out? What do they do? Do you know? >> Um, I know what like when they put people out and they get evicted and they sit people's stuff out but then I don't know if they sit it out, put it in the dumpster. I don't I don't know what they do. Um, I've never been with him on a job or any of that, so. >> Okay. >> I really don't know much. >> Does he have like keys to the house, James? Does he have keys to the houses and stuff? Like a bunch of people out doing that. >> I was going to say, is there is anybody even >> Yes. Yes, 100%. >> Cuz I'm sure brother and sister are worried about him. >> Yes. >> Little brother. >> Right. Right. Your daughter also said sometimes big James doesn't get along with little James. What did What did she mean by that? >> I don't [clears throat] know. She >> Does little James get in any more or less trouble than the other two? >> They all get in it. >> Right. >> About the same. >> They're all close to the age. They all Yeah, okay. So, now >> I mean, my daughter, for instance, when she went to school threatened to stab somebody. I had a which came home that day they cuz the teacher pulled me to the side at dismissal and he was like, "Have you ever heard of your daughter threatening anybody at any time in your her life and school, anything?" I was like, >> 90 minutes in this is the first time she asks. >> She would have got that from talking about knives or something. >> Okay. >> I know James does like being mean to them, so >> Like >> hitting them, taking [clears throat] her toys away. >> All little James. >> Yes, not that >> I got you. >> How about I just say my son >> Yes, that will work. If you could guess. >> I don't know, maybe like 3:30 >> Okay. So, if you could tell me what time you went to bed >> I'm in bed 10. Once I go to bed I'm I'm out. >> Okay. So, why didn't you tell me all this prior to before when we were talking? Why didn't you tell me all this story before? Cuz I just asked you if you remember going upstairs originally when I came in. Because that's what I'm being told. And you didn't remember any of it. Now all of a sudden you're remembering detail. >> I have a bad problem with memory. >> You do. >> Uh I can't I can't tell you this, but I can't remember day to day. >> Okay. You're still not lying You're you're lying to me about this stuff. So, Are you Did you grow up in church or anything in this faith? >> Um um I remember when I was a little kid that my grandma used to take me to church all the time. >> Okay. >> She does not say it did not happen. She says she cannot remember. >> in the place with your stories. You don't talk to your dreams. And he's telling us he's coming around. So, this is good. Do you Do you read it all right? Can you read? >> I can read some words out. And then some words I could could type. Good close I can't understand. >> Okay. I'm going to read this to you. What you don't understand I'll explain it to you. Does that sound good? It says, "Warning, I am a police officer. I want you to have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult with a lawyer before before and during any questioning and and have lawyer present while you're being questioned. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you free." >> 20 minutes ago she was a mother reporting a missing child. She still thinks she is. >> Do you understand that? Meaning that I'm not forcing you to talk to me. I'm trying to figure out what's going on with your baby. Okay? Flip that card over. Do you understand that? Okay. >> Sir, I just never been through this before. >> I need you to print your name right here saying you understand that and then the date and time. >> You said print? >> Yeah. >> I have a candle back >> Yeah, if you're hungry you can do junk food, I'm sorry. It's all we have here. >> Hey, it's something, huh? >> Yeah. Today is February 28th. >> Is that right? February or just >> F-E-B. The 2 28 is fine. of 21 and the time is 1:11 p.m. >> p.m.? >> Yes. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> All right, so James is telling a little different story. All right, so this is what I need to know. In the middle of the night last night, okay? You went upstairs and you got you picked James up out of his room, your boyfriend. What was that? Tell me I want I want and I'm not going to go in there and everything changes totally. Okay? Cuz I'm still looking for you to be honest with me, okay? Tell me about that. Tell me what happened after you picked him up out of the room. You went downstairs. >> I said I don't remember picking him up, taking him downstairs. >> You don't remember anything about picking him up, taking him downstairs in the middle of the night? James is pushing this off on you, okay? I'm going to be real up front with you about this at this point. Okay? So, you need to be very smart and honesty goes a long, long way with me and if there's any criminal charges in the future, honesty goes a long way, okay? I'm getting a story that is totally different than what you've told me and I don't know why James is telling me that, but that's what he's telling me. Okay? That's part of what he's telling me, okay? But I'm not going to share that with you. I need to know what happened last night with your your boy, your 6-year-old. Or this morning, early this morning. In the middle of the night. Whatever. >> I know he said that he had a nightmare. >> The 6-year-old? >> Yeah, but he I didn't carry him downstairs or anything. >> Okay, who carried him down the steps? >> He walked down the steps. >> He walked down the steps in the middle of the night? About what time was that? >> I don't I couldn't tell you. I didn't pay attention to the time. >> The middle of the middle of the night? >> Yeah, I was more worried about what he was wrong with him. >> What's that mean? >> Like what Why >> Not I didn't. >> Why was he >> Okay, I have to see some remorse. Okay? I need >> remorse? >> Well, I have to see that Okay, I I've not been telling you the whole truth. I'm sorry. Remorse means I'm sorry. Okay, I have So, do you understand what I'm saying? This is what This is what happened, and this is the truth. Okay? A 6-year-old just doesn't get up and walk out the door. Okay? There's more to the story than what you're telling me. Okay, I talked to James. My partner's talked to James extensively. And James is coming off of this slowly. I would suggest for you to tell me the truth now. He may have told you more now. I don't know. I've not I've been in here with you. Okay? But, James has said he took a deep breath, and I suggest that to you that you take your pop, take a deep breath, and just tell me what's going on in here. Okay? Stuff happens in life. There's no perfect parent. >> He tells her a 6-year-old does not get up and walk out of a door. It is the plainest thing anyone says in 3 hours. >> Been aggravated with him. Okay, in those words. Okay. So, he had a nightmare. What did you do? What did you What was the next thing you did? >> Just cried. Sit there and >> Did he Where did he come to? The living room? >> No, he went in there and woke me up. >> In bed? >> Yeah. >> And was James in bed with you at the time? >> Yes. >> All right. And then what happened? >> He come in here and said, "Mommy." I don't know if how many times he probably >> Mhm. >> said my name. I'm a deep sleeper. >> Okay. >> Uh but I had was rolling over and I heard "Mommy, Mommy." At first I thought I was just hearing things. And then something told me like maybe I'm not hearing things. >> Mhm. >> So I opened my eyes and he said, "Mommy, we had a nightmare." Or "Mommy, we see a shadow." I was like, "What shadow?" >> Mhm. >> He said, "I don't know. They're white." I'm like, he's like, "Do you know what it is?" >> The detail arrives all at once, and none of it was in the first account. >> really believe He used to joke around with me all the time. The the kids >> Mhm. >> He used to joke around all these all the time with me and say, "Mom, you're looking at my pee bird." I'm like, "Dude, I'm all I'm doing is washing it." >> Right. Yeah. >> [clears throat] >> So I told him to pee still cuz normally he can't really pee in front of me. I guess because I He thinks I'm standing there watching him. >> Right. >> So I'm like, "Do you want me to stand in here with you or stand outside the door?" He said, "Just stand outside the door, Mom." So I just stood outside Well, I don't know if you I don't know if you've been in our house yet. Um the [clears throat] little room that's supposed to be a laundry room. We just hang out the washer and dryer in there. >> Mhm. >> Um I stood [clears throat] right there. The door was wide open. Uh we got that little nightlight that's in the bathroom. >> Okay. >> Um that way they don't try to help them not be scared to go use the bathroom. >> Mhm. >> Um but I told them I'll stand right here at the door and I told them the night light's on that way we don't wake nobody else up. And >> So you're saying and I should have woken them up. They were already downstairs. >> Yes. >> Were they on the couch or were they on the floor? >> They were laying on the floor. >> Okay. So they were already downstairs. >> I don't know if they had the same issue. I don't >> Okay. >> I don't know. They were already downstairs. >> Okay. >> Um but um he was they were all upstairs sleeping in their individual rooms. >> Mhm. >> But sometimes the boys kind of like sleep together. I don't know cuz I guess they feel more safe. Cuz I mean we've been in hotel rooms living with other people and they're not used to each room. Well, the little girl used to have her room. She's a little girl but the boys ain't used to >> Right. >> being apart. They're used to sharing a room. >> So when you put them to bed last night, they were all upstairs. >> Yes. >> And but I need you to be tell me what's going on with your boy and tell me what happened truthfully. Okay? So you just took a drink of your pop. Tell me what's going on. >> Sorry, I was trying not to get my stuff. >> You're good. >> I was upset. >> Okay. Take a deep breath and just tell me what happened. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. Okay, the kids wasn't listening. Well, you know kids don't listen. You've probably been there before. >> Mhm. >> Well, kids wasn't listening. I tried my best. I don't like yelling and screaming at my kids. >> Mhm. >> Cuz I feel like if you're yelling and screaming at they don't want to listen. >> Okay. >> They're more scared of you yelling and screaming at them than wanting to listen to what you're trying to tell them. >> Right. >> Um >> [clears throat] >> But anyways, we took the kids I'm sure you did too, but we took the we take kids' like the toys, take them away, put them up >> Mhm. >> until they start coming back to being behaved. >> Mhm. >> Um they also have a lot of times lying about, "I didn't pee myself." and >> Mhm. >> stuff like that. I The one that's out there with the voice, the son, he likes peeing on himself and kind of "I'm sorry, Mom, but yes, I did." like 20 minutes later like "Why wasn't you telling me then?" >> Mhm. >> But anyways, um >> [clears throat] >> They were They weren't >> They weren't listening. >> Mhm. >> And he thought that James thought I wasn't making them >> Mind. Right. >> Um cuz he's normally at work non-stop. But uh He doesn't He thinks they're they hate him because they don't really listen to him >> Right. >> well. And sometimes they don't even listen to me, but they're kids. >> Sure. >> Um But >> We can get into all this, but okay. Tell me what happened. >> He told James told me to get rid of the kids. >> Okay. >> And so um I took them for a drive to make them think I >> Mhm. >> This is the reason she gives, not anger, not an accident. She says she was told to get rid of them. >> And yeah, it's a little store or something. >> Mhm. >> A bathroom. I pulled over to the bathroom and let them all use the bathroom. While it was raining and stuff, I left the left the door unlocked in the van and told them we'll all go in here, not all of us at once, but each one of us go in here one at a time, use the bathroom. So, we went in the bathroom. Well, I couldn't go in there, but when I went to go in the bathroom, I told him to go ahead and just get in the van. >> Mhm. >> Well, James had slipped and fell cuz his shoes were wet, slippery, and he had hit his head. >> Mhm. >> And >> Did he kill him? Did he tell me? Did he Did the fall hurt him? >> Well, he was I asked him if he was okay. He wasn't answering. I had noticed he was breathing kind of heavy. >> Mhm. >> And I thought maybe that's not normal. I've never seen him breathe like that before. Well, he was breathing I don't know how long he was breathing for, but he had fell and busted his head on the side of the van and trying to get in there and >> She says she tried to give him CPR. Then she says she went to the bathroom and when she came out >> I think I tried to >> So, he stopped breathing? And where is his body at? You're doing good. Okay? Just tell me where his body's at cuz I got to go find him. >> I >> For you. Okay? Let's just conclude it now. Okay? Where's Where's his body at? Did you take it back home with you? >> No, I left it. >> You left it? So, who's all in the car with you? >> All of us. >> James, you >> Yes, we all went there as a family. >> So, all five of you? >> Yes. >> All right. And where what park was this or where was this at in Middletown? Cuz it wouldn't make sense to put to me Did you put him in a dumpster? Did you put him Did you just let him lay right there? Was he buried? I mean, I That's what I need to know. >> I didn't do nothing with him. I just let him lay in the parking lot cuz it was a plain parking lot there and there was a one little stall and I let him just lay on the ground. >> Okay. Did James Did James do anything with him? Your uh boyfriend? I mean, it doesn't make sense just laying right there on the ground. So, >> Well, I let him lay in there on the ground cuz I was going to call an ambulance, but I was >> All right. >> I was scared to so far I didn't know what to do. >> Okay. >> So, >> So, now we need to figure out where this was at. >> Well, he I was the baby the little boy was laying on the ground. I went to the bathroom, told him to try you try real quick cuz I couldn't hold myself. >> Mhm. >> I told him you try real quick to give him CPR. >> Mhm. >> And so, I went to the bathroom, I came out, he was gone. >> Okay. Where What did the other two children say about all this? >> Um Well, they were in the back seat, so they couldn't >> Okay. I'm going to give you a break here for a second, okay? All right. So, James has told me that uh while you were at the hospital, okay, that you guys went together to do that this morning. Um Is this Is this the Ohio River? Is that where know what talking about or where. >> It's between Indiana and Kentucky. >> Between Indiana and Kentucky? >> I don't really know my way around. >> Okay. Was the body wrapped in anything? Or did he just have clothes on him or what? >> He had clothes on. >> Okay. Do you know what he was wearing? >> Um His red jacket. It's like a camo red jacket. >> Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> Um black and white shoes. >> Reds? Cincinnati Reds? >> No, it's just like a plain camo red jacket. Okay. Um You know the brown school pants? >> Oh, yeah. Khaki pants. >> Yes. A pair of those and um It was a black and white shirt. I don't remember what was if [clears throat] it was long sleeve. I don't remember what Um I can't remember exactly what was on the shirt. I just know that's what he had on. >> Sure. Did he wear glasses? Did he have his glasses? >> Um >> Where were his? >> No, but he had his glasses. >> So, whenever he went in the water, he had his glasses >> He he wears them everyday. >> Okay. >> He's blind. >> And you made sure he had them on whenever he went >> Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> Right. Now, he Now, James tells us a little bit more detail. Okay, so I'm going to get into some of that with you now. Okay? Rush Run? >> Yeah. >> Is it Rush Run? >> Yes. >> And you were near the water? >> Yeah, it was They said it was a Rush Run park, but I seen water, so it had to have been a lake or I don't know what it was. >> Now, James goes into a little bit more detail what happened to him. What happened to your son? Okay. First off, was James with you when all this happened? He was not with you? He was not. So, >> kids. >> Three kids and you. >> Yeah, he told me to go somewhere. >> To do what? >> To get rid of kids. >> To get rid of the kids. Okay, so the truth now is he didn't just slip >> and bang his head. >> Okay, cuz you don't >> Two places are now on the table. The record still does not settle which >> how he passed away. And then he walks around the front >> through the car and the back. My car was like this and the bathroom is literally right here. >> Sure, okay. >> So, he just like walks to the door. >> So, you pulled in and your face is in the woods. >> No, it's the water. >> Okay. >> So, this is here, the water is here. >> All right. >> And then there's >> So >> the road to out that way. >> This is All right, I just had it. Where the hell is it? Here we go. >> It's called Russian River Lake, I think. >> Yep. Yeah, there are old tires. So, right there right here. Here's the water. Here's the road that you came in on. Okay. >> Okay, where did you say the water was again? >> Right here. That's water. >> Okay. >> So, there's usually the port-a-potty is right there. Is that what you remember? I did this at >> Yeah, kind of at the parking spot. They were there. >> So, did you pull into a >> It was like down this way, like the lines were kind of faded. >> Yeah, so you parked kind of down this way. >> It was close to the bathroom, but not close enough. >> So, you were So, you were actually nosed in. You were pointing towards the water. So, you got two kids over here. And then you've got James milling about, let's say that's you right there. >> Okay. >> And you got James milling about run over you, right? >> Mhm. >> Is that right? >> Yes. >> So, where was James whenever you backed up and pulled out? Little James. >> Well, I wasn't all the way into the parking spot. I was just like halfway there, not all the way there. Um I went to just Well, I didn't even have to back up. I just went to go this way. >> So, you just went to loop around and Okay. >> And he was He didn't have the handle when I looked out my mirror. >> Mhm. >> When I went to go pull away, I'm guessing he had the handle. >> Right. >> And um and then I went to go drive off and he of course >> Sure. >> had the handle. When I looked, he didn't have it. And uh and then he was >> So, wait wait. So, here's the Porta Potty. There's the water room. Here is the room coming in. >> Mhm. >> Let's say So, you're parked kind of like that. Okay? >> Yeah, with my uh headlights this way. >> Yes, towards the water. So, you got two >> the way in the parking lot. >> Sure. So, you got a little bit of room there. >> Yes. >> So, show me where James was whenever you put it in drive. >> he was like right over here. Like he's I don't know if he can reach over and grab the handle. >> But, he wasn't touching the handle. >> No. >> So, then did you hit him with the van then? >> No. I didn't hit him with no van. >> Okay. >> I didn't run him over. I didn't do none of that. >> Okay. Um so, he hits the van >> He had the the van's door slide open. >> Mhm. >> So, he had a handle of the van. >> So, the door is open? >> No, they slide back. It's a minivan. >> Right. >> They slide back. He had the handle of the van, the back door van, on the driver's side. And when I went to go kind of pull off, he didn't have the handle in his hand. It was [clears throat] kind of just like standing there. Not close, close to the van, but just kind of standing there holding the van door trying to get back in. Well, that door out of That door is messed up. Right. >> Nobody has said the words run over to her. >> So, my daughter was the one just standing there, and she said, "Mommy, you didn't run him over." Cuz I was scared. I was like, "Please, don't tell me I ran him over cuz I would have really, really, really, really felt bad." >> But at that point, whatever you've got standing out there just coming out of the bathroom. >> No, was standing out there. Was coming out of the bathroom. >> He's coming out of the bathroom, and then you've got little James over >> Yeah, the door was open. >> But you drove away. >> No, we I was sitting at the port-a-potty. >> Mhm. >> Well, I went [clears throat] to go drive off. >> So, you you >> Cuz he told me to make them think like you're leaving them. >> Mhm. What is it? So, the van wasn't in motion. >> Well, it was in park, and then I put I noticed his hand wasn't on the handle cuz I looked out the mirror. His hand wasn't on the mirror or on the I just went like this. >> Okay. >> Cuz there was plenty enough room to do it. >> Sure. So, you pulled forward, you drove to the left. The other kids are where? >> By the stall. >> They're over by the big port-a-potty. >> Yes. >> And then At what point did you see James on the ground? >> I would say when I went to I heard kids screaming. I don't remember I thought it was for sure They both could have been screaming. I don't know. >> Why were they screaming? Because you were leaving? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Cuz they knew I wasn't going to let her just go. >> Sure. >> So um They were standing by the bathroom stall, whatever it is. And James was kind of standing close to them, but not that close. >> Mhm. >> And as I showed you on the paper, I just went around him and didn't realize he had the handle. >> Okay. You were >> But when I kind of like he I'm assuming he grabbed the handle cuz I kind of pulled him a little bit, not much, and he got up and it fell back down. I guess I kind of probably made him hurt his knee on the ground or something. >> Mhm. >> And he lost his balance and um he tried to catch his balance. He didn't get to and he fell and busted his head on the ground. >> And you drove back to the >> I didn't drive back to the house. I went back to the middle. >> How far away did you get? >> Um Just down the road a little bit. >> So >> This is her account given more than a day after the boy died. No medical finding in the public record confirms it and none contradicts it. >> So >> Pulled off to the side of the road. >> Mhm. >> Well, I went there to just turn around. I went back. >> Did you sit there for a full length of time? >> No, I just >> Okay. So when you come back, he's on the ground. >> Yes. I was like, you know what? I'm not leaving my kids. He can just get mad and leave, whatever. >> What day did this happen? >> Friday. >> What time? >> I want to say 2:00 or 3:00. >> In the afternoon or was it >> In the morning. >> At night. >> In the morning. >> Like it's dark. >> It was dark outside. >> Yes. >> But it was >> 2:30 a.m. a.m. in the morning. >> So was it Thursday night into Friday morning 3:00 a.m. or was it Friday night into Saturday morning 3:00 a.m.? >> Friday night into Saturday a.m. >> Okay, so it was actually Saturday morning at 3:00 a.m. >> Yes. >> And it was dark. >> Yes. I couldn't see nothing. It was raining. >> Okay. How big was the blood spot? >> Um I'm going to say about this half the size of my purse that sits on the ground. >> So make circle with your fingers and show me like this. >> Like this. >> Show me how big like this. Like this. >> Like that. >> [clears throat] >> A little bit smaller than a basketball. >> Um I'm going to say about a basketball. >> About a basketball. >> It could be a little bit smaller. I don't really know. >> What would the blood look like? Was it thick and chunky? Or was it dry? >> really to be honest I really didn't pay attention to the blood. I was more worried about getting my stuff out. >> Sure. So when you got back home with James you back you come back >> She's asked what the blood looked like. She says she did not pay attention to it. >> Did James go out and get him? Where are the clothes at that he was wearing when he carried him in? >> Sitting on top of laundry basket. >> Are they dirty? >> Yes. >> They got blood on them? Yes. What were you wearing? >> Um >> [clears throat] >> gray Aeropostale sweatpants >> Mhm. >> and a pink shirt and then like a zip up light pink maybe a little bit smaller. >> What did you um what did you wear to the hospital? >> No, it was just a t-shirt and then I had my pink and >> You you sent him a text? >> Yes, and then he called me, told me to bring him back because he couldn't get James to listen. And >> [sighs] >> James had bruises on him from him hitting him. He's never hit me. >> All right. >> Ever. But Okay, look. >> What were the bruises? >> Um face I want to say all over, over the top. >> Mhm. From James hitting him hitting your son? Okay. >> Trying to punish him basically. >> Did he hit the other two children? >> Sometimes. >> What side? >> She is describing what was done to her other children calmly while detectives are still looking for the third. >> Why? I could try to tell him why it's not okay. They're they're told They know they're not supposed to do. >> All right. Sure. >> You'll eventually catch them in the the truth later on down the line. >> Okay. So, you bring the kid back, you carry the kid in and then what hap- Where do you put the kid? Where do you put the kid? >> I just laid him on the liv- in the the When you walk in the door, that room right there, on the floor. >> The liv- the front When you walk in the front living room? >> Yes, the front room on the >> So, the living room >> Where the couch is. Yes. >> You laid him in >> I laid him on the floor. >> Okay. >> The bare floor. >> Mhm. >> And he took him upstairs. >> James took him upstairs. >> And put him in the bedroom. >> What time was it? >> I want to say like a couple minutes once I got back. I carried him in. He took him upstairs and put him in the bedroom. >> Like in a closet where >> It was on the floor. >> The search that had been looking for a living child became a search of the Ohio River. Brittany Gosney pleaded guilty to murder and to two counts of endangering children. James Hamilton pleaded guilty to kidnapping, gross abuse of a corpse, and child endangerment. She was sentenced to 15 years to life for the murder and 3 years on each of the other two counts to run one after the other, 21 years to life. She will first be eligible for parole in February 2042. Hamilton was sentenced separately to 15 to 19 years. James Robert Hutchinson was six. He was in the first grade. He slept on the floor because there were no mattresses. And when he was frightened, he went and found his mother. The public record does not say how he died. It says who was responsible. He lived 6 years, 7 months, and 27 days. Say his name in the comments. James. If this is the kind of case you want followed properly sourced and with the surviving children left out of it, subscribing means you'll see the next one.