Two more individuals have been charged in the 2016 death of an infant boy near Hicksville. A statement issued on Wednesday, April 25 by the Defiance County Prosecutor’s Office notes that on October 29, 2016, Sarah Stark gave birth to a boy at a residence near Hicksville and that afterwards she and Jared Stark allegedly failed to obtain any medical attention for the newborn. The baby died approximately 10 hours after birth.
It is also noted that between the dates of October 29, 2016 and March 28, 2018 that Sarah and Jared, with assistance from Steven and Sheryl Stark treated the remains of the child in “a manner that would outrage reasonable community sensibilities.”
Jared Stark, 35, of Hicksville has been indicted on one count of involuntary manslaughter, a first degree felony; two counts of endangering children, one a third degree felony and the other a first degree misdemeanor; and gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth degree felony.
Sarah Stark, 35, of Bryan, has been indicted on one count of endangering children, a third degree felony; gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth degree felony; and endangering children, a first degree misdemeanor. Steven Stark, 58, and Sheryl Stark, 56, both of Hicksville have also been indicted on one count of gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth degree felony.