ZANESVILLE, Ohio-Robert L. Durham, II, pleaded guilty to kidnapping, strangulation, and endangering children in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court. The charges stem from an incident where Durham assaulted a 2½-year-old child after becoming angry at noise made by the child. He held the child down, slapped him across the face, straddled him, and threatened further harm.
Durham’s brother, Jonathan Durham, who recorded the incident, also pleaded guilty to child endangering. The brothers will be sentenced at a later date. The incident was reported by a witness, and the video provided by Jonathan Durham aided in the investigation. Muskingum County Assistant Prosecutor John Litle commended the Zanesville Police Department for their handling of the case and emphasized the disturbing nature of Durham’s actions.
