Ohio Father Indicted After 10-Year-Old Daughter Dies Following His Decision to Refuse Recommended Tracheotomy

An Ohio father is facing serious criminal charges after his 10-year-old daughter died following a period of worsening medical problems, including difficulty swallowing. Prosecutors allege that Scott Cleaver, 48, recklessly endangered his daughter’s life by refusing a tracheotomy recommended by a doctor. The case has drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding the child’s final months and the decisions made about her medical care before her death.

The girl, identified as Rylie Cleaver, had cerebral palsy and epilepsy and required significant medical attention. According to 911 dispatch records obtained by the Dayton Daily News, Cleaver contacted emergency services on October 1, 2025, reporting that his daughter was cold to the touch and had no pulse. During the call, he explained that Rylie had a do-not-resuscitate order. When the dispatcher asked about her recent health, he reportedly said she had been experiencing difficulty swallowing for several weeks.

Cleaver also told the dispatcher that he had taken Rylie to see a doctor because he was concerned about aspiration, a condition in which food or liquid can enter the airway. The doctor reportedly raised the possibility of performing a tracheotomy. Cleaver acknowledged that the procedure had been discussed but said he declined it, explaining: “With everything she’s been through we can’t do that.” Authorities have not publicly released the full medical records or detailed the doctor’s assessment, leaving important questions about the treatment discussions unanswered.

After Rylie’s death, investigators spent approximately a year examining the circumstances surrounding the case. Their findings were eventually presented to a Montgomery County grand jury, which indicted Cleaver on three charges: involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and endangering children. The indictment alleges that between March 1 and October 1, 2025, he recklessly created a substantial risk to his daughter’s health and safety, resulting in her death. Police have declined to provide additional details about the investigation.

Cleaver was arrested on October 29, 2026, and is being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1.5 million bond. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 19, where the case is expected to continue through the legal process. If convicted, he could face significant criminal penalties, although the specific outcome will depend on the proceedings and the evidence presented in court.

For Rylie’s family, the case represents the loss of a young girl who had already faced considerable medical challenges. Her death has prompted difficult questions about the decisions made on her behalf and the responsibility of adults to protect children who depend on them for care. However, the criminal allegations against Cleaver remain to be proven, and the full circumstances surrounding Rylie’s medical treatment and death have yet to be established in court.

Source: https://lawandcrime.com/crime/dad-indicted-for-recklessly-causing-10-year-old-daughters-death-after-he-refused-tracheotomy-for-her-when-she-had-problems-swallowing-cops-say/