SALEM - The Columbiana County Coroner has ruled the death of Derek A. Dennison, 7-months-old, of Salem, a homicide, Det. Dave Talbert said Tuesday.
Dennison died on July 22.
Talbert said the infant died of blunt force trauma to the head and trunk.
"Nobody is in custody," Talbert said but added, "the case is progressing."
"I feel confident the case will come to a conclusion," he said.
The child was reportedly taken to the hospital in an unresponsive state by his mother, Miranda Todd, 22, of 264 N. Ellsworth Ave. Apt. 4. Efforts to revive him failed.
Police Chief Bob Floor said events leading up to the death were unclear at the time and were being investigated as suspicious out of protocol. Floor noted there were no suspects in the case then, but there were multiple individuals being interviewed in an attempt to gather information about the incident.
The Columbiana County Sheriff's Office originally responded to the report, but the immediate investigation determined that whatever occurred likely happened in the city.
Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net
