UNIONTOWN (KDKA) — A Point Marion couple accused in the starving death of their 15-month-old daughter appeared in court this morning for a preliminary hearing.

Robert Dodson and Tammy Jo Bohon are accused of neglecting their sick daughter. She died back in January.

Dodson’s daughter Darlene Schoolfield says her father is innocent.

“My father did not hurt that baby. He took care of those kids,” said Schoolfield. “That’s all he did was care for them kids. I don’t like what the media’s making them out to be like animals.”

The preliminary hearing was continued to a later date.

In the criminal complaint, police say Bohon knew her daughter Madison Violet was sick and allegedly told Dodson that the child’s feeding tube had fallen out.

The complaint goes on to say that Bohon is accused of leaving the baby at home with a sibling while she went to smoke crack.

Police say Dodson, instead of taking the baby to the hospital, laid the child on the living room floor – which was covered in trash and feces – and then went to sleep. Dodson allegedly called police in the morning to report that the little girl was dead.

“I believe it was an accident. The baby had a freak accident and died. It had a feeding tube. That’s what I believe. The tube has come out before and my dad has fixed it before,” added Schoolfield. “This time something must have happened and now they’re getting the blame for it. And I don’t believe it should happen.”

The couple’s seven other children remain in the care of Children and Youth Services.

No new court date has been set.

RELATED LINKS:
Fayette County
Point Marion Couple Charged In 15-Month-Old’s Death
More Local News