Only A True Monster Could Do This! - The Story of Hershall Creachbaum

WARNING: The details of this case that are discussed within this video may be very explicit.  
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Music: Halloween
Musician: SoulProdMusic
Site: https://pixabay.com/music/-halloween-121508/

Transcript

SPEAKER_06 0:00

A child who was reported missing 330 this morning, right here on the 400 block of Xenia Avenue, has just been found dead.

SPEAKER_08 0:11

Somebody helpless who should be taken care of and looked after. The fact that, you know, he was deceased for several weeks and we didn't get even get the call.

SPEAKER_11 0:59

But just hours later, police would receive information that he was actually dead, and had been for some time. This is the story of Herschel Kriegbaum. Herschel Kriechbaum Jr. was born in Dayton, Ohio on November 1st, 2017, to his mother, Ashley Johnson, and his father, Herschel Kriegbaum Sr. The little boy had been born with cerebral palsy and clubbed feet. He was also autistic and nonverbal. And while Herschel used a wheelchair most of the time to assist him, he was still able to walk short distances without any help. The seven-year-old was a student at Ruskin Elementary School, and he was said to be a sweet, loving, and happy boy that would just melt your heart. He was always smiling, and when he got excited, he would hop around in his chair. Herschel loved paw patrol, coconut, alpha blocks, Spider-Man, Bluey, and playing with cars and trucks. He also had an older sister named Navea, who was autistic too. The boy's parents, Herschel Sr. and Ashley, had been in a relationship up until the time their son was about two years old. Once they split up, the couple signed over temporary custody of the toddler to Herschel Sr.'s mother, Missy Creechbaum. It's been said that the reason for this custody exchange was due to Ashley and Herschel Sr.'s ongoing issues with drugs. However, after Herschel's grandmother Missy was in a debilitating car accident in late 2024, she was unable to continue to care for her grandson. So the little boy began living with his mother, Ashley, again while she was in the hospital recovering. But it wasn't long until Herschel's mother stopped letting his biological father and grandmother see him at all. The father said he had not seen his son since the summer of 2024. And Herschel's grandmother claimed to have not had contact with him since May of 2025. Just days before he was reported as missing on June 30th, his biological father posted on his social media saying that he was afraid he would never see either one of his kids again. Then in the early morning hours of July 12, 2025, the Dayton Police Department received a phone call saying that Herschel had been kidnapped. His mother's boyfriend, Michael Kendrick, called up authorities at 345 and said that someone had punched him, then taken the boy. Police almost immediately began asking the public for help in locating seven-year-old Herschel Kriegbaum. It was reported that he'd gone missing from the 400 block of Xenia Avenue, and he was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt with cartoons on it and gray sweatpants. He was described as having brown hair and hazel eyes. Authorities also reported that while the child's whereabouts were unknown, his wheelchair had been located. Not long after, around 4 20 a.m., it was notated in the dispatcher's call log that there was no indication that Herschel had been kidnapped, but rather he was just missing. The log additionally notated that 38-year-old Michael Kendrick was intoxicated at the time that the call had been placed. Herschel's mother, Ashley, told authorities that she'd seen her son the evening before he went missing. He'd been playing with his sister, so Ashley went to bed. This was the last time that she had seen him. The home where Herschel lived was then searched, as well as the surrounding area. Investigators even used drones to help assist in locating him, but with no luck. Suspiciously, a homeless man was discovered to be in possession of the boy's wheelchair, and the man reportedly informed officers that Herschel's parents had given it to him weeks earlier. Since the seven-year-old's disappearance was clearly looking suspicious, his mother Ashley and her boyfriend Michael were taken down to the police station, where they were interviewed separately by detectives. It was at that point that the truth about where Herschel was and what had happened to him started to come out. Ashley informed officers that her son was not really missing, but rather he was dead. And he had actually died close to six weeks prior. She stated that in late May she had been in the hospital for a total of eleven days, undergoing and recovering from surgery. While she was away, Herschel and his sister had been left in Michael's care. And upon her returning back home, she'd never seen the boy again. According to Ashley, her boyfriend had told her that her son had died from natural causes. Yes, at just seven years old, and apparently she believed him. Michael had then disposed of the boy's body near a set of railroad tracks. When Michael was subsequently interviewed by detectives, he admitted that Herschel had died in his care weeks earlier. While he was supposed to be watching the little boy, he began drinking. Around the same time, Michael got into an argument with someone who has not been named yet over the phone, during which time he lost it and began punching Herschel in the head. Then he pushed him down, causing him to bounce off the floor and striking other parts of his body. Herschel died the next day while he was in the shower. While it doesn't say in any of the news articles that I found who Michael was on the phone with, I wonder if it was Herschel's mother Ashley, and she heard everything that happened. Once the little boy was dead, Michael told officers that he had kept his body in the house until it began to smell. At that point, he moved it to a deep freezer for a time, before he put him in a suitcase and disposed of it in a grassy field. After a few weeks, Michael went back to the area and recovered Herschel's bones. Then he had left them in a bag in the hundred block of McClure Street. Upon this confession being made, 38-year-old Michael Kendrick was placed under arrest and he was booked into the Montgomery County jail. He's currently being charged with tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse. And more charges are expected to be added in the future, pending the results of the forensic examination on Herschel's body. At the same time, around 7:30 p.m., officers were sent out to where Michael had told them Herschel could be located. And near the McClure Street Bridge, they found his remains. On July 15th, Michael was arraigned in court, and the judge issued him a $2 million bond.

SPEAKER_02 7:39

They looked like they loved them. He would play with him. He would sit and give Herschel a controller to get marks of the gang system, and he would let him push the buttons to think he was playing the gang system. Like in front of our faces, he put on a show.

SPEAKER_00 7:51

Michael's next step will be a preliminary hearing on July 22nd. Then the grand jury will decide whether to indict him or not.

SPEAKER_11 7:58

Herschel's mother, Ashley, was also arrested on preliminary charges of failure to report a death and obstructing justice. She may receive additional charges in the future as well.

SPEAKER_08 8:31

And as you're aware, I resulted in uh unimaginable tragedy and a loss of a helpless and innocent child. Uh before I continue, uh I know there might be tons of questions that uh that you might have, but due to this being uh an ongoing investigation, we're probably gonna be very limited in the uh the answers we provide, but we'll try to give you uh what we know and as much as possible. Uh first and foremost, uh my heart goes out to Herschel's family and anyone who truly cared for him. Uh in our line of work, uh unfortunately we do see uh evil acts on a routine basis. Uh this calendar calendar shown in this situation towards this child is horrendous and truly evil. On Saturday, July 12th, uh about 3 45 in the morning, uh we got a call uh from 404 Xenia. The initial call was uh for a report of a kidnapped child. Uh as this and so multiple crews searched the area as as this information uh we received this information. As the investigation unfolded, it was determined that Herschel had not been seen for several weeks. Uh at that point, the investigation turned into a potential homicide investigation. Uh ultimately there was determined that Herschel was not missing, but was deceased for several weeks. Uh information was then developed that led our investigators to the area of uh McClure and US 35. The slide shows you uh both locations, the US 35 McClure location, and also the 404 Zenia and uh to this location, and we recovered what we believe is Herschel's remains at this point. We currently have two people who have been charged.

SPEAKER_11 10:11

Following the couple's arrests, Herschel's older sister was taken to the hospital and then into Child Protective Services custody. According to the children's grandmother Missy, the little girl was found filthy, smelling like urine, she had dirty hair, and was also malnourished. And speaking of child services, they had been involved in Herschel's life for some time. They had been called multiple times in the past in regards to his well-being, but these concerns had all gone unanswered. According to a parent volunteer from the school that Herschel attended, Ruskin Elementary, named Bridget Lowe, CPS was called numerous times, they failed him. Developmental disability services, they failed him, they were called numerous times a day. In the police department, failed him. They were called numerous times for welfare checks. It was parents, it was teachers, the principal, security guards, it was numerous people. However, there was said to be no current open case in regards to Herschel or his sister with child services. Additionally, Dayton Police and Montgomery County Child Services have refused to admit how many times they were actually contacted. But had they done their job, they would have realized that Herschel's mother's boyfriend, Michael, had a long criminal history. This included some pretty serious charges too, like aggravated arson, disorderly conduct, theft, and weapons possession. He had also faced charges back in October of 2024, which included strangulation and RAPE. However, these charges ended up being dropped. And in February of 2022, there was a charge of DV against him that was also dropped. And in January of 2023, a charge of felonious assault against him was dropped too. Which begs the question, why was Ashley letting this man watch her children or be around them at all? Now, since at least July 4th, possibly sooner, both Ashley and Michael had already been telling people that Herschel was dead and he had died of natural causes. So how did they think they were going to get away with saying that he'd been kidnapped? There's been a Facebook group created which is called Justice for Herschel Creech Bomb. And while many people remain supportive there of the boy's grandmother Missy, many have also questioned why the grandmother, who had legal custody of him since he was two, hadn't at least reached out in a phone call to check on him in the last six weeks. There's also been speculation as to why the grandmother has been posting everywhere that Herschel will be forever eight, when the little boy was only seven at the time. But in her defense, that's something that many news stations have also been reporting, and she does have a traumatic brain injury from her car accident. Since Herschel's body has been recovered, the McClure Street Bridge has turned into a memorial for him, and is now full of flowers, balloons, stuffed animals, and toys. A vigil was held on the night of July 14th, and there is another one scheduled to take place at Herschel's School, Ruskin Elementary, on Friday, July 18th. At the vigil that took place on the 14th, the boy's father, Herschel Sr., spoke and said that he'd found out about what happened to his son on Facebook. He said that he likes to think that the little boy is watching everyone honor him from heaven, and he would have loved all the balloons and stuffed animals. The father also stated that his son was the highlight of his life, and he's holding on to the fact that he's now no longer in any pain.

SPEAKER_14 14:11

And this is a senseless act that could have been avoided.

SPEAKER_12 14:14

Herschel Creech Bomb's family sharing stories about the boy they knew and how the community has shown up to remember him in a beautiful way.

SPEAKER_11 14:57

The report also said that his skeleton was incomplete and found with, quote, scant tissue remains, end quote. Several fractures were discovered on Herschel's body, but it's unclear if they occurred pre-or post-mortem. The boy's cause and manner of death remain undetermined. In October of 2025, Herschel's estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit, claiming that Montgomery County and Clark County officials and agencies were negligent in the boy's death. The suit alleges that staff at Ruskin Elementary School reported signs of physical abuse to Montgomery County Child Services and Clark County Child Services a total of twenty four times. But neither agency took measures to investigate the claims or to protect Herschel. A few months before Herschel was reported as missing, on April 3rd and 4th, Ruskin school staff called police and asked that welfare checks be done. This was after the little boy's mother's boyfriend Michael came to the school intoxicated. However, when authorities went out to the home to check on things, they were unable to gain access. It was also reported that Herschel was repeatedly sent to school with bruises on his body. Many times he arrived without food or diapers. And a few times he came in completely covered in urine. Some of the calls that were made to child services were actually recorded too.

SPEAKER_09 16:32

In early April, the Montgomery County Dispatch Center received a series of calls requesting welfare checks on Herschel Creechbaum and his older sister. Between April 3rd and 4th, two staff members with the school phone.

SPEAKER_01 17:07

He doesn't currently the mom's boyfriend, which I do not know his name, brought the kids to school. And he was drunk.

SPEAKER_09 17:39

That same caller says they've tried to get CPS to come and investigate.

SPEAKER_11 17:54

A trial for the wrongful death lawsuit is currently scheduled for April of 2027. In November of 2026, both Herschel's mother Ashley Johnson and her boyfriend Michael Kendrick were deemed competent to stand trial. But just days later, their lawyers filed motions to suppress, alleging that they were not read their Miranda rights before being interrogated, and their statements were inadmissible in court. Police body camera footage that was taken when they responded to Herschel's potential kidnapping back in July shows them questioning both Ashley and Michael. They eventually took Ashley to a separate area for a more formal interview, where she was read her Miranda rights, and they were explained to her. At this time, she agreed to speak with officers and didn't ask for an attorney. Ashley then admitted that Herschel was not missing, but rather dead. She also helped detectives unsuccessfully search one spot for the boy's remains. However, Ashley's lawyers were now claiming that authorities had not asked her if she had any disabilities or was diagnosed with any learning or cognition problems. They said Ashley didn't realize what was happening and didn't know that anything she said could be used against her. Her lawyer added that Ashley didn't get her medication that day either.

SPEAKER_09 19:32

Johnson's attorney sought to scrub several body cam videos and recorded interviews saying Johnson didn't fully understand the Miranda warnings. Johnson has been diagnosed with a cognitive disability.

SPEAKER_07 19:43

But you would agree with me that someone who's receiving disability benefits depending on the disability, it might impact their ability to waive their Miranda rights.

SPEAKER_05 20:16

So your kid is not here.

SPEAKER_10 20:18

Officers discover Michael Kendrick shirtless outside his home at 4 a.m. on July 12th of last year. They try to get useful information. Kendrick invites them to go inside and search for Herschel, and they also find and talk to Ashley Johnson, Creechbaum's mother.

SPEAKER_05 20:36

Where would he go if he left? Where would he go right now?

SPEAKER_10 20:45

Officers and detectives testified that Kendrick appeared intoxicated but did answer some questions. He also hinted that a homeless man hit him, distracted him, and left with Herschel and Herschel's wheelchair. It's always big. Officers looked for nearby surveillance video and found some. Officers and detectives put Kendrick in the back of a cruiser. His lawyers claimed they didn't tell Kendrick he was a suspect at that point.

SPEAKER_06 21:19

And while he was in the cruiser, you had spin or conversation with him. Yes. And you did not read him any Miranda rights? I did not.

SPEAKER_11 21:27

But before the judge could make a decision on whether or not to suppress this evidence, in late April of 2026, both 36-year-old Ashley and 39-year-old Michael were arraigned on new charges. Ashley, who was originally indicted on one count of obstructing justice, was additionally charged with one count of gross abuse of a corpse and one count of tampering with evidence. Michael was originally indicted on three counts of gross abuse of a corpse and two counts of tampering with evidence. He was now additionally charged with. One count of murder, one count of involuntary manslaughter, and two counts of endangering children. They both pleaded not guilty to their new charges. And a renewed motion to suppress will be carried over for the new charges. Therefore, a decision has not been made yet. Now Herschel's family was extremely excited about the new charges that had been brought against Ashley and Michael. His father, Herschel Sr., said, everybody was saying that they were going to get away with it and everything. So I was definitely excited to hear all this. When I heard they switched it to a murder charge, I couldn't stop smiling.

SPEAKER_03 22:44

I was extremely happy. I started crying. I I instantly called her, like, you know, he's indicted for murder. And I think she should be indicted for murder too.

SPEAKER_13 22:54

LeVea Benner, Krieshbaum's cousin, said their family has not been the same since this case started.

SPEAKER_04 23:01

How can a person be so cruel to her disabled baby for literally no reason at all?

SPEAKER_13 23:07

Family and friends say that they still have many questions. I want to know why.

SPEAKER_04 23:12

I want to know why. What did you do to him? What did he do so wrong to that man? That so-called love to him. But he gets to still breeze, he doesn't. I took one of the greatest gifts God could give somebody away from everybody who loved me.

SPEAKER_11 23:28

At this time, Herschel's family is said to still be waiting for his remains to be released from the corner so that they can give him a proper burial. Thank you for listening to Herschel's story today. How is it that someone can hurt a disabled child who has nothing but love and trust for them? It's clearly something that only an absolute monster would be capable of. So if you like true crime and you want to hear it from me, then don't forget to hit that subscribe button below and turn on your notifications too, so you'll know when I upload a new video, which is at least three times every week. Thanks for watching a wicked world today. Until next time, take care. Bye. Thank you to all the patrons of a wicked world. Now there's even more of a wicked world on Patreon. So check it out on patreon.com slash a wicked world. Or use the Patreon app. You'll have access to exclusive videos each month and more. Any support truly helps to make sure the victims are never forgotten and to highlight the shortcomings of society associated with each case. If so, send me an email to a wicked world true crime at gmail.com.