The babysitter at the center of the investigation into the death of an 8-month-old East Canton boy has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Melanie M. DiMarzio was booked into the Stark County Jail on Tuesday, July 21, on one count of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the March 10 death of Grant Simmons.
Jordan Miller News is working to obtain a copy of the criminal complaint to learn the specific allegations supporting the charge.
According to East Canton Police Chief Christopher Hartlaub, the arrest follows what he described as an extensive investigation conducted by the East Canton Police Department with assistance from the United States Marshals Service.
Police said an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect, who was located and taken into custody without incident by members of the U.S. Marshals Service.
“I want to commend the dedication and professionalism of our investigators, as well as thank the United States Marshals Service for their invaluable assistance in locating and apprehending the suspect,” Hartlaub said in a statement Tuesday. “While today’s arrest is an important step toward justice, our thoughts remain with Grant’s family and loved ones as they continue to endure an unimaginable loss.”
Hartlaub said the investigation involved countless hours of investigative work, interviews, forensic analysis and coordination with numerous law enforcement partners. He added that the case remains active and no additional details regarding the investigation or pending court proceedings will be released at this time.
Grant died after becoming unresponsive while in DiMarzio’s care at an in-home daycare on Market Street in East Canton.
In the days following Grant’s death, his mother, Missy Williams, spoke exclusively with Jordan Miller News about the day she lost her son.
Williams said Grant was healthy and smiling when she dropped him off at the babysitter before heading to work.
She later received a text message saying Grant had soaked through his diaper and needed a change of clothes.
Minutes later came the phone call she said she will never forget.
“At 1:39, she called me screaming,” Williams told Jordan Miller News during the March interview. “She said, ‘He’s not breathing.’”
Williams rushed to the home, where emergency crews were performing CPR on Grant before he was transported to Aultman Hospital. He was later pronounced dead one day before his 8-month birthday.
During that March interview, Williams said she struggled to understand what had happened.
“I don’t understand how this happened,” she said at the time. “I just don’t.”
Following Grant’s death, the Village of East Canton and the State of Ohio filed a civil complaint seeking to shut down what officials alleged was an unlicensed daycare operating out of the DiMarzio home.
Court records alleged DiMarzio was caring for multiple children—sometimes between five and 10 per day—without the required licensing, certification or zoning approval. A Stark County judge later granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting the operation from providing childcare services.
Tuesday’s arrest marks the first criminal charge filed in connection with Grant’s death.
Jordan Miller News will update this story after obtaining the criminal complaint and any additional information released by investigators or prosecutors.
