Mother facing food stamp charges

Johnson
The boyfriend of Erin Pappas has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Pappa’s 3-year-old daughter Brooklyn Upton.

The charge of child endangerment against Pappas has been dropped, as has an unrelated charge of theft.

Upton likely died early Jan. 27. Officials have declined to discuss the cause of her death pending a full autopsy report from the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, however the death has been ruled suspect and charges have been filed.

Samuel L. Johnson, 32, of Owensville has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in Upton’s death. His case was expected to be heard by the Grand Jury Wednesday, Feb. 23.

Johnson was taken into custody on Friday, Feb. 18. He is currently being held at the Clermont County Jail on a $1 million bond ordered by Municipal Court Judge Ken Zuk.

Pappas, 30, was originally charged with child endangerment based on the conditions of her home. The charges were dismissed Feb. 7. She remains a resident of the Clermont County Jail on a $50,000 bond related to drug charges and an additional $25,000 bond related to charges of illegal use of food stamps.

On Feb. 3 Pappas pleaded not guilty to four counts of trafficking in heroin, one count of possession of heroin, and one count of permitting drug abuse. She was indicted on five counts of illegal use of food stamps on Feb. 9 and pleaded not guilty to those charges on Feb. 10.