Widow speaks on anniversary of Riverside slaying in front of kids

Robert Caldwell’s gravesite in Beavercreek (Gabrielle Enright/Staff)

Robert Caldwell’s gravesite in Beavercreek (Gabrielle Enright/Staff)

Today Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of the death of 35-year-old Robert Caldwell, who was fatally shot in front of his three sons in Riverside.

The FBI and local authorities continue to search for one of those sons, Jacob Lee Caldwell, who disappeared days after his father was slain.

Two of the six people who were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to Robert Caldwell’s killing remain in custody: Robert’s ex-wife Tawney Caldwell and the alleged shooter, 34-year-old Sterling Roberts. Both are charged with murder and could face the death penalty, if convicted.

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The other four — Chance Deakin, 25; Christopher C. Roberts, 30; James T. Harmon, 55; and Chandra D. Harmon, 54 — all face lesser charges and have been released on bond.

The co-defendants are being tried in U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio. A motion hearing is scheduled for next month, while the final pre-trial hearing is set in October and the jury trial is scheduled for November, according to court records.

Sterling Roberts is jailed in South Carolina, where he was apprehended days after the fatal shooting. He faces an attempted murder charge in South Carolina, where he allegedly shot at a deputy prior to his capture.

Jacob Caldwell was reported missing from his grandparents’ home in Sugarcreek Twp. The FBI is offering a reward of $15,000 for information leading to his whereabouts.

Sugarcreek Twp. police are still working to find the teen, according to Chief Michael Brown.

“The case detective is very involved and works with the FBI,” Brown said. “Every lead is followed up by the detective, either on her own or in partnership with the FBI.”

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Candice Caldwell, Robert Caldwell’s widow, said she deals with her husband’s slaying on a daily basis when her two children talk about “Daddy” or when there are updates from the courts.

“I don’t ever want to relive that moment. It was the worst day of my life,” she said. “Me and the kids, we’re just hanging on to faith right now.”

Candice Caldwell said she is going through grief therapy and is relying on her “church family” for support.

“Bobby is what keeps me going. He’s the one that taught me how to keep going,” she said. “He didn’t have his kids for four years. His kids were kept from him, and he kept going every single day. He’s truly the person who taught me to keep going when you’ve lost somebody that you love.”

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Jacob Lee Caldwell is 15 now and his appearance may have changed since he was last seen in Sugarcreek Twp., according to the FBI.

If you have information that can help authorities find him, call Sugarcreek Twp. police at (937) 310-3200 or the FBI at (513) 421-4310.

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