Authorities in Ohio have brought charges against a woman accused of deliberately plowing her van into the father of her child and also fatally hitting another man. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, 24-year-old Taah’viya Chapman faces a slew of charges including aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, attempted murder, and endangering children. She was indicted on September 8, and she faces life in prison if she’s found guilty of all the charges.
The other man Chapman hit and killed was identified as Christopher Scott Griffith. Police said he succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. And Chapman’s boyfriend, Jawon Khalid Lunsford, broke his leg after he was struck.
Authorities said the incident happened around a Kroger store on Kenard Avenue. Lunsford and Chapman’s 8-month-old child was in the van when she drove into the two men.
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Deters said Chapman drove Lunsford to the store. But after the victim entered the facility, Chapman went through her boyfriend’s phone and saw text messages he had exchanged with her sister. This led her to suspect that the two had been involved in an “inappropriate” relationship, Deters added.
In footage of the incident, Chapman is seen driving her van towards Lunsford’s direction after he comes out of the store. Lunsford attempts to get out of the way, but he’s struck. Griffith, who was entering the store at the time of the incident, was also struck by the van.
After plowing into the two men, Chapman got out of the vehicle and charged at Lunsford before punching him. She later entered the vehicle and tried to leave the scene. But Deters said a “good Samaritan” prevented her from leaving. Police later arrested her.
Chapman also faces a child endangering charge for a separate incident, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Authorities allege the accused woman punched a 9-year-old girl and struck her with a belt during an incident in December last year.
Prosecutors said the accused woman is being detained at the Hamilton County Justice Center.
