During the March 2021 term of the Tipton County Grand Jury several people were indicted for crimes allegedly committed against children and the elderly.
Jason Michael Baber, 32, was indicted for three counts of aggravated child abuse and one count of aggravated child neglect. Court documents allege between May 1 and Dec. 1, 2020, Baber inflicted injury upon a 1½-year-old child. The fourth count charged him with exposing the child to methamphetamine, which allegedly affected the child’s health and wellness. Baber is due back in court on July 22 for a status hearing. His trial is set for Aug. 10. Baber is being represented by attorney J. Barney Witherington.
Madison Hope Champagne, 18, was charged with aggravated child endangerment. The indictment alleges between Oct. 1, 2020 and Jan. 8, 2021, Champagne exposed her infant to marijuana and methamphetamine. The child was seven months old when the alleged incidents occurred. She is due back in court on July 22 for a status hearing and her trial date is set for Aug. 23. Champagne is currently free on a $45,000 bond.
Aaron Tyler Hardin was indicted on two counts of rape of a child and two separate counts of aggravated sexual battery. Court documents show he was charged with having sexual contact with a 9-year-old in 2019 and in 2020 sexually penetrating and having sexual contact with a 10-year-old. His status hearing is set for July 22 and his trial for Aug. 18. He is being represented by the public defender’s office.
Ronnie Dewayne Hart, 37, was indicted on two counts of statutory rape. The alleged incidents, which involved a 14-year-old, took place last summer. His status hearing is on July 22 and his trial set for Aug. 18. Hart is free on a $50,000 bond.
Brett Anthony Nowack, 34, was indicted on one count of aggravated child abuse. Court documents allege in January Nowack, who is active duty Navy, inflicted injury upon a three-month-old infant. His status hearing is set for July 22 and his trial for Aug. 25. Nowack is free on a $200,000 bond.
Amy Marbry, who is also known as Amy Spurlin, 42, was indicted for allegedly financially exploiting an elderly or vulnerable adult. She reportedly exploited the victim between April 1, 2019 and Dec. 1, 2020, the total cost being $10,000-$60,000. Her status hearing is July 22 and her trial is set for Aug. 24.
Benjamin Shannon Webb was indicted on 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Each count alleges Webb was in the possession of material which included a minor engaging in simulated sexual activities that are patently offensive. His status hearing is set for July 22 and his trial for Sept. 8. He is being represented by the public defender’s office.
Indictments show theses cases have been bound over to circuit court. The Leader is not making an assumption of guilt in sharing these cases.
In-person court proceedings are expected to resume in Tipton County on April 1.
Persons whose charges have been published in The Leader who would like to request a subsequent follow-up showing they have been found not guilty or charges have been dismissed can do so by calling 901-476-7116 or emailing news@covingtonleader.com.
Author: Echo Day
Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.
