Boyfriend charged in Middletown boy’s death has lengthy criminal past; couple moved often

MIDDLETOWN — The boyfriend of a mother charged with murder for the death of her 6-year-old son had past run-ins with law enforcement.

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The couple also lived a transient lifestyle and had previous dealings with Butler County Children’s Services, according to the city’s police chief.

James Hutchinson’s mother, Brittany Gosney, 29, and her boyfriend, James Hamilton, 42, are both facing charges in James Hutchinson’s death. Gosney is facing preliminary charges of murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. Hamilton has been charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.

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Birk said the couple had bounced around to different residences, including living in Kentucky at one point.

“Children Services have been in touch with them in the past, they have bumped around from hotels to different areas. They were in and out of Middletown School District,” said Chief David Birk.

Court records obtained by News Center 7′s I-Team show Gosney also lived at an extended-stay hotel on Kingsridge Drive in Miami Twp. in December, when she was cited for a traffic violation. A search of local court records don’t show a criminal history for the mother.

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However, Hamilton has a long list of criminal offenses dating back decades, some even included him being sentenced to prison, online records show.

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Hamilton’s felony convictions include burglary in 1999 and a weapons charge in 2005. He also faced several misdemeanor charges including, drug-related offenses, domestic violence, disorderly conduct, obstructing official business and possession of an open flask, Hamilton County court records show.

As for Gosney’s children, they are now in foster care with children’s services.

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“They do have the other two kids, they are safe. And we’re thankful for that,” Birk said.

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Those two other kids, who were in second grade, were with Gosney when deputies said she killed her son by dragging him and possibly running him over with a vehicle in a Preble County park, Preble County Sheriff’s Office records showed.

A fourth sibling previously was adopted through the foster care system prior to this weekend’s incident, Birk said.

Cox Media Group