The investigation revealed that a fight occurred in the driveway involving several people. Needham was struck in the face and fell, hitting his head on the driveway, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Cincinnati teen has been charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and is being held in Warren County Juvenile Detention Center. He will appear in juvenile court at 11:30 a.m., today, July 1, for a detention hearing.
Three calls were placed to 911 because the callers did not know the address of the residence. On the second and third calls, two men described the incident, saying another man was drunk and fell off a car and hit his head.
“He really needs an ambulance. I think he’s like dying or something,” one male caller said.
Sgt. Brandon Lacy said the investigation showed Needham did not fall off a car. Lacy said there were four people at the residence, including Needham and the teen but it is unclear how each of the people know each other.
Blood stains and medical gloves were found in the driveway, along with beer cans and empty cigarette packages. The white, two-story home has a green roof and shutters and is lined with a white farmhouse-style fence.
The residence is set back from Oregonia Road, but sits atop a hill and can be seen from U.S. 42. There are entrances to an accounting office and a veterinarian off the extended drive leading back to the home.
The owner of the home was not at the residence and does not live there, according to Lacy, but the individual who does live at the home was present.
Lacy said he does not know if anyone else will be charged in relation to the fight.
“We’ve still got a long way to go on this case,” Lacy said, adding that he is trying to figure out why each of these people was at the residence.
Family members described Needham – a Vietnam veteran who worked on the railroad – as a “kind-hearted man” who enjoyed art and photography. He was “very family oriented,” coaching baseball teams for his two sons for several years, according to his younger brother, Eric Needham.
Eric Needham said his brother suffered from dementia, and as his illness worsened, his desire to help people only grew stronger. While Eric said he did not know any of the details of the altercation or any of the individuals involved, he speculated that Charles’ good nature could have gotten him into trouble early Tuesday.
“He was always trying to help people, even strangers,” Eric Needham said.
The brothers lost their father to cancer about five years ago, and an uncle who Charles was very close to passed away a month ago. Eric Needham said the two men often joked that they would die at the same time.
“Be careful what you wish for, I guess,” Eric Needham said.
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