News

Actions

Man Claims Victim Fell Down Stairs, Ends Up Facing Felony Charges

Posted at 5:48 AM, Feb 21, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-21 06:10:49-05

seth jonesALMENA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Feb. 21, 2014) — A man who recently dropped an injured person off at the hospital now faces felony charges after his story didn’t agree with what the medical examiner found upon the victim’s death.

This is an investigation northeast of Paw Paw that began back in October.  According to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, Seth Jones, 24, dropped Dakota Kearns off at the hospital.  He said Kearns, 23, had gotten injured falling down a flight of stairs.  Kearns died at the hospital from those injuries.

The medical examiner determined that Kearns’ injuries were inconsistent with a fall down the stairs, and police began investigating.  They determined that Jones and Kearns had been out trying to steal road signs in Almena Township.  They believe Kearns was riding on the top of Jones’ vehicle during those criminal acts, and he fell onto the road, injuring his head.

Jones has since been arraigned on a three-count felony warrant, with charges that include Reckless or Negligent Driving Causing Death.

The family of Dakota Kearns was extremely happy that detectives were able to find the truth about his death, giving them closure.