Police say several children were hurt after adults allegedly encouraged a fight at Weston Cemetery, with one child taken to a hospital.
WESTON, Ohio — Two adults are facing criminal charges after authorities say children were encouraged to fight at a Wood County cemetery, where several juveniles were injured and one adult allegedly joined the confrontation before striking a 13-year-old with his car while leaving.
The July 10 confrontation at Weston Cemetery has resulted in charges against Rachel Bell Ankney, 41, of Weston, and Dustin Willmarth, 34, of Bowling Green. Court records and law enforcement affidavits cited by local news outlets describe a planned fight involving juveniles. Authorities allege the adults helped bring children to the cemetery rather than preventing the confrontation. The reason for the dispute among the juveniles has not been publicly established.
Ankney is charged with endangering children and contributing to the unruliness or delinquency of a child. Authorities accuse her of encouraging children to fight, failing to intervene once the confrontation began and leaving children at the cemetery without providing proper care afterward. One child was taken from the scene to a hospital by ambulance, according to law enforcement affidavits. The extent of that child’s injuries has not been publicly disclosed.
Ankney has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Reports reviewed Thursday did not identify the injured juveniles, and their names are being withheld because they are minors. Authorities also have not released a complete account of how the dispute developed before the children arrived at the cemetery or how many juveniles took part in the fight.
Willmarth faces charges of endangering children and felonious assault. Investigators allege he transported his son and his girlfriend’s son to Weston Cemetery so they could participate in the confrontation. Both boys suffered minor injuries during the fighting, according to authorities. Court documents reviewed by Law&Crime also allege the trip to the cemetery was made with Ankney’s permission.
Authorities allege Willmarth became physically involved after the juvenile fight began. A witness described him striking and kicking juveniles at the scene, according to a probable cause affidavit reported by Law&Crime. Investigators have not publicly identified the children he is accused of striking or detailed the nature of each child’s injuries. The accusations against Willmarth remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
Investigators also accuse Willmarth of hitting a 13-year-old boy with his vehicle as he left the cemetery. Police said the teenager suffered minor injuries. Authorities have not released additional details about the alleged vehicle strike, including whether the teen required hospital treatment. At least one child involved in the broader incident was transported by ambulance, but available reports do not make clear whether that was the same 13-year-old.
Willmarth appeared in court Sept. 1, when a judge set his bond at $30,000, according to court records cited by 13 Action News. Law&Crime reported Thursday that both Willmarth and Ankney were out on bond. Willmarth was scheduled to return to court Sept. 22. Available reports did not provide a later court date for Ankney.
Weston Cemetery is maintained by the Village of Weston in Wood County. The village describes old and new sections of the cemetery and maintains the grounds and monuments. Authorities have not suggested that the cemetery itself played a role in causing the confrontation; it was the location where investigators say the juveniles were brought for the fight.
The cases against Ankney and Willmarth remained pending Thursday. Ankney has pleaded not guilty, while the allegations against both adults still must be resolved through the court process. The motive for the juvenile confrontation, the full number of children involved and the current condition of the child taken to a hospital remained unclear.
Author note: Last updated September 10, 2026.