Jacob and his two siblings saw their father, Robert Caldwell, fatally shot in a Riverside parking lot at Woodman Drive and Linden Avenue in broad daylight, investigators said.
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Two days later, on Aug. 21, Jacob went missing. His grandparents, who were given custody, reported him lost.
The FBI has said Jacob might not be in Ohio and said he might have a new look and identity. Authorities also said they believe someone knows the teen’s location.
Jacob's mother and Robert Caldwell's ex-wife, Tawnney Caldwell, is among several people charged in relation to Caldwell's death .
The alleged shooter, Sterling Roberts, was captured in South Carolina and faces federal charges in Ohio. Already, Roberts pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in South Carolina to a charge of knowingly and unlawfully possessing a firearm, according to court documents.
The charges against Tawnney Caldwell relate to aiding and abetting the illegal gun possession. She is also accused of destroying documents and cell phone data. She is held in Shelby County Jail. Her attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A grand jury also indicted four other people, who are released from jail.
Candice Caldwell — Jacob Caldwell’s stepmom and Robert Caldwell’s wife at the time of his death — told News Center 7 she can’t believe it’s been almost a year since Robert was killed. The pair were married less than a year, but had been together for six years. During that time, Ezekiel, 4, and Bailee, 2, were born.
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“Me and the kids were his entire world,” she said. “He really was the type of man any woman would want to be with.”
Reflecting on her husband’s untimely death, Candice Caldwell said, “I don’t wish bad upon anyone, but you can’t go be mad at someone and take their life away from their wife and kids. That’s not OK.”
She said she prays Jacob is safe and says her faith will keep her strong as the case moves through the court system. Still, she remains saddened her husband and stepson are not with her young family.
“It tears me apart that they’re building this relationship with their older siblings, and Jacob is not here,” she said. “I would love to have my husband here, but I know I’ll see him again, and that is where my trust lies.”
Contact this reporter at 937-259-2086 or email Will.Garbe@coxinc.com.
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$15,000 FBI REWARD
The Cincinnati Division of the FBI, the Sugarcreek Twp. Police Department and the Riverside Police Department are seeking information on the location of missing teenager Jacob Lee Caldwell.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading directly to Caldwell’s location. Caldwell, 14, witnessed his father’s Aug. 15 shooting and has been missing from Sugarcreek Twp. since Aug. 21. The bureau says the circumstances concerning his disappearance remain unclear.
Persons with information can contact the FBI’s Cincinnati Field Office at 513-421-4310 or the Sugarcreek Twp. Police Department at 937-310-3200.