SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio — A tragic accident involving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) has left a family devastated in Portsmouth, Ohio. Seven-year-old Wyatt Moore lost his life in the accident, and now his mother and her boyfriend are facing charges in connection with his death.
The Scioto County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating the incident since it occurred on March 26. According to Sheriff David Thoroughman, witnesses have been interviewed, and the driver of the ATV, as well as the victim’s mother, have been questioned.
It was discovered that the driver of the ATV was under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash, and Wyatt’s mother was aware of this. The driver of the ATV is the boyfriend of the victim’s mother.
The case was presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury on April 14 and indictment warrants were filed. On April 19, Wyatt’s mother, Breonna Phipps, was arrested without incident at her apartment on Kendall Ave. Her boyfriend, Jeremy Bryant, was located at a different address and also arrested.
Breonna Phipps has been charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Child Endangerment, Tampering with Evidence, and Obstructing Justice. Jeremy Bryant has been charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, two counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Endangering Children, Inducing Panic, Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Drugs and/or Alcohol, Operating Off Street or Highway in Willful or Wanton Disregard of the Safety of Person or Property, Misconduct at an Emergency, and Probation Violation.
Both are currently being held without bond until they appear at Scioto County Common Pleas Court at a later date.
The loss of a child is a tragedy no family should have to endure, and this incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence. The investigation into Wyatt’s death is ongoing, and anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091.