CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Chillicothe man was arrested following a domestic disturbance that escalated into property damage and allegations of child endangerment.
According to a report from the Chillicothe Police Department, officers were dispatched to a residence on Jackson Avenue in the early morning hours of March 16, 2026, in reference to a domestic dispute.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with the female complainant, who reported that she had been involved in an ongoing dispute with her ex-boyfriend, identified as Ryan Douglas Bennett, who is also the father of her child.
The complainant stated that Bennett returned to the residence and continued arguing before being forced to leave. After being locked out, Bennett allegedly threw a hammer through a bedroom window. The window belonged to the room of a young child, who was reportedly asleep just feet away at the time of the incident.
Officers observed broken glass scattered across the bedroom floor and located the hammer inside the room near the child’s bed. Additional damage was reported throughout the residence, including broken window blinds, holes in drywall, and damage to the front door consistent with prior forced entry.
The complainant told officers she feared for her safety and the safety of her children, noting that incidents like this had become routine. She also reported past physical altercations involving Bennett.
At one point during the incident, Bennett reportedly returned to the area but left prior to officers locating him.
Later that morning, officers observed Bennett’s vehicle back at the residence and made contact. Officers were able to see Bennett inside the home through the previously broken window and entered the residence, taking him into custody without further incident.
Bennett was transported to the Ross County Jail, where he was booked on a charge of child endangering (M1). He is scheduled to appear in Chillicothe Municipal Court.
No further information has been released at this time.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
