Authorities have filed new charges against the two teenagers who were arrested in connection to a Chillicothe woman's death at Hocking Hills State Park.
Hocking County Prosecutor Benjamin E. Fickel announced 16-year-olds Jaden W. Churchheus and Jordan A. Buckley are now charged with murder, felonious assault and involuntary manslaughter in the death of Victoria Schafer.
The two were originally charged with reckless homicide.
Schafer, who was taking photos with a group of students, was struck and killed by a 74-pound, 6-foot long log while sitting on the stairs at Old Man’s Cave on Sept. 2. She was killed instantly.
According to authorities, a caller told authorities on October 8 that one of the teens sent a text message to a classmate stating that he had did something serious at the park.
ODNR and the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office were able to locate both teens who admitted that they were involved in forcing the log over the cliff and arrest them on October 10.
Fickel said the state is also requesting a mandatory bind-over to Hocking County Common Pleas Court, where they intend to try both teens as adults.
Both teens remain in custody at a juvenile detention center.