CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Chillicothe man is currently being held in the Ross County Jail after being indicted on multiple felony charges related to child endangerment.
According to records filed in the Ross County Court of Common Pleas, Chancey Michael Hardesty, 30, has been indicted on two counts of Endangering Children, both felonies of the third degree under Ohio law.
Court records show the indictment was filed February 13, 2026, and a warrant for Hardesty’s arrest was subsequently issued. Records indicate the warrant was served by the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, and Hardesty is currently being held in custody at the Ross County Jail.
Additional court records show Hardesty was previously charged with falsification in Chillicothe Municipal Court in 2025. According to those filings, Hardesty entered a guilty plea in November 2025, receiving a $250 fine and community service requirements as part of the sentence.
Municipal court records further indicate Hardesty was later found to be in violation of community control sanctions, and in February 2026 a judge ordered him committed to jail for the violation.
The newly filed felony child endangering charges are currently pending in the Ross County Court of Common Pleas.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
