>> RELATED: Centerville father charged with attempted murder of his 2 children
Ray L. Eades, 31, was convicted of the following charges:
- Two counts of attempt to commit aggravated murder (child under 13)
- Two counts of attempt to commit aggravated murder (while committing/attempting to commit aggravated arson)
- Two counts of attempt to commit murder
- Two counts of aggravated arson
- Two counts of endangering children
Eades was sentenced to two eight-year prison terms that will be served consecutively. He’ll get a jail time credit for 329 days.
Eades pleaded no contest to the charges in June, according to Montgomery County Common Pleas Court records.
>> Centerville father accused of trying to kill kids enters not guilty by reason of insanity plea
RIGHT NOW: Judge Skelton tells Eades, “The facts of this case are undisputed and they clearly establish there was an attempt to commit aggravated murder.” He sentences him to 16 years in prison for 2 counts of att. ag. murder (8 yrs. ea. count for ea. child.) @whiotv pic.twitter.com/gCB450qTwI
— John Bedell (@JBedellWHIO) August 21, 2019
He previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but was found competent to stand trial.
In September, Centerville police responded to a Bradstreet Road home on a welfare check for two children, ages 6 and 8.
Eades answered the door, but refused to cooperate with officers, said police.
Now we’re back on the record, again. Eades says he wants to stick with his no contest plea, again, and be sentenced. Judge Skelton confirms one more time that’s what Eades wants and reminds Eades that he found him guilty during an earlier sentencing hearing. @whiotv
— John Bedell (@JBedellWHIO) August 21, 2019
While there was no structure fire, an investigation revealed that Eades used “prior calculation” when he set an item inside the home on fire, police said in court records.
The item was removed from the home and extinguished by Washington Twp. firefighters.
Eades also threatened to kill himself and his kids, to drug the children, disable the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and barricade the house, according to court records.
“It is a tragedy when a parent, who is entrusted with the care of his children, attempts to harm them,” Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck said in a media release.
“We commend the quick response of the Centerville Police Department and Washington Township Fire Department which most likely saved the lives of the two innocent children.”
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