Riddlebarger Road Couple Arrested for Endangering Children & Felonious Assault

NEWS RELEASE​​​​​​

September 5, 2024

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman states that his office was contacted by the Scioto County Children Services on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 reporting that they had received an anonymous call asking for a welfare check on children living on Riddlebarger Road.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that Detective Sgt. Jodi Conkel and Detective John Cart, along with a Children Services Investigator, responded to 1257 Riddlebarger Road, Portsmouth, Ohio.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated detectives observed four children ranging from age 1 to age 7 living inside the residence. All of the children were found to be filthy and they had multiple injuries to their bodies.

The house was in deplorable conditions; filled with trash and infested with bugs. The children were taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center for treatment of their injuries.  The two adults were transported to the Sheriff’s Office for further investigation which resulted in the couples’ arrest.

Arrested were David L Shepherd, age 27, and Amanda C Shepherd, age 29, both of 1257 Riddlebarger Road Portsmouth,Ohio.

Both have been charged with three (3) counts of Endangering Children, a felony of the 2nd degree, four (4) counts of Endangering Children, a felony of the 3rd degree, and three(3) counts of Felonious Assault, a felony of the 2nd degree.

They are currently being held in the Scioto County Jail on a $410,000.00 bond and appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that this is still an ongoing investigation that may result in more charges being presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury on a later date.  

Sheriff Thoroughman would like to thank Prosecutor Shane Tieman and his Special Victim’s Unit for their assistance with this case.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel @ 740-351-1091.