Ohio couple that fled child pornography charges arrested in North Franklin
An Ohio couple arrested in North Franklin Township early Saturday had been fugitives of Belmont County, running from child pornography charges.
Wesley Burdge and Tabitha Gallagher, of Flushing, fled their home with their two children, ages 1 and 5, after police knocked on their door to investigate a child pornography tip they received from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children.
Detective Douglas Cruse, of Belmont County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office, said police were investigating John Garwon, who had been living with Burdge and Gallagher. Garwon was not home Oct. 11, when deputies arrived and removed all electronic media from the house. Police left, returning 10 minutes later, but Burdge, Gallagher and their children had fled the home, according to a news release from the Belmont sheriff’s office.
“Deputies found John Garwon and learned that Burdge and Garwon had planned to molest the children once they reached a certain age and that the two also had a sexual relationship,” the news release said.
Cruse said Garwon is in jail in Ohio, charged with two felonies, one for sharing child pornography and one for possessing it. Burdge was charged with the same felonies and Gallagher was charged with obstruction of justice.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Zach Denzler used financial records to track Burdge and Gallagher to the Days Inn, 1370 W. Chestnut St., North Franklin. They were arrested at 12:03 a.m. Saturday by Washington police, who were assisting the U.S. marshals. They were each arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County jail, where they are being held without bond pending extradition to Ohio.
The children, who were found in the hotel with them, are in the custody of Belmont County’s Department of Job and Family Services. They were taken to a hospital for examinations. The news release said the children appeared to be “in decent condition,” but that they were still being evaluated.
“Further charges are pending,” Cruse said. “We’re looking at the possibility that the children were sexually abused.”
The news release said Garwon is suspected of “sexually abusing one of the children with the parent’s knowledge.”
The sheriff’s office said they have a “significant amount of digital data” to examine for child pornography that Burdge and Garwon may have possessed, shared or manufactured.
“Once the investigation is completed the three suspects could be looking at hundreds of felony charges depending upon review of the completed case by Belmont County Prosecutor Dan Fry,” the release states.
In the release, Belmont County Sheriff David Lucas thanked law enforcement agencies across the country for helping “to make sure these children were brought home safe.”