A year after 10-year-old Rylie Cleaver died at her family home in Miami Township, Ohio, her father’s case has taken a significant turn. Details from a 911 call, including a discussion about the child’s medical condition and a proposed medical procedure, have brought new attention to the circumstances surrounding her death.

The investigation remained ongoing for months before prosecutors took the case to a grand jury. Now, Scott Cleaver faces multiple criminal charges, although important questions about the medical circumstances and the allegations remain unanswered.

Rylie Cleaver’s Death Prompted a Year-Long Police Investigation

Miami Township police were called to a residence on Aldora Drive on October 1, 2025, following the death of 10-year-old Rylie Cleaver.

Local reports identified the property as being in the 10000 block of Aldora Drive, with one report giving the specific address as 10421 Aldora Drive. However, because police have generally referred to the broader area rather than providing a detailed account of the events inside the home, the broader location description is more appropriate.

Initially, authorities released limited information about what had happened. There was no immediate public indication that criminal charges would follow.

Instead, investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding Rylie’s death for approximately a year. The case eventually reached a Montgomery County grand jury in October 2026.

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911 Records Reveal What Rylie’s Father Told Dispatchers

Some of the most significant details about the case emerged through 911 dispatch records obtained by the Dayton Daily News.

According to reporting based on those records, Scott Cleaver called emergency services on October 1, 2025, and told the dispatcher that his daughter was cold and did not have a pulse.

During the conversation, Cleaver reportedly discussed Rylie’s medical history, explaining that she had cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He also said she had a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order.

The dispatcher asked about recent medical concerns, prompting Cleaver to describe swallowing difficulties that Rylie had reportedly experienced during the weeks before her death.

He said he had taken his daughter to a doctor and explained his concerns about aspiration.

Cleaver reportedly told the dispatcher:

“I was having concerns about aspiration.”

He also described a conversation with the doctor about a possible tracheotomy, saying:

“[The doctor] wanted to talk to me about a tracheotomy, and I just told him with everything she’s been through we can’t do that.”

These statements have become an important part of the public reporting surrounding the investigation. However, the 911 conversation is not a complete medical record, and it does not independently establish the cause of Rylie’s death.

What Was the Proposed Tracheotomy, and What Is Known About It?

The discussion about a tracheotomy has drawn particular attention because it involved a medical concern reportedly raised before Rylie’s death.

According to the 911 records described in local reporting, a doctor wanted to discuss the procedure with Cleaver after Rylie experienced swallowing difficulties. Cleaver told the dispatcher that he had decided against it, referring to everything his daughter had already experienced.

However, several important details remain unavailable.

The publicly reviewed sources do not contain the doctor’s complete medical assessment, the relevant medical records or an expert opinion establishing whether the procedure would have changed the outcome.

They also do not establish that a tracheotomy had been formally scheduled, that Cleaver had been ordered to consent to it, or that doctors had determined it would certainly prevent Rylie’s death.

Consequently, describing the procedure as definitively lifesaving would go beyond the available evidence.

The 911 statements provide context about the medical discussions before Rylie’s death, but they do not prove that refusing the procedure caused her death.

The distinction is particularly important as prosecutors pursue allegations involving reckless conduct and the circumstances leading up to the child’s death.

Montgomery County Grand Jury Indicts Scott Cleaver on Three Charges

The investigation reached a major procedural development on October 29, 2026, when a Montgomery County grand jury indicted Scott Cleaver.

The 48-year-old Miami Township father faces three criminal charges:

• Involuntary manslaughter
• Reckless homicide
• Endangering children

According to court information cited by Dayton 24/7 Now, the alleged offences cover the period from March 1, 2025, through October 1, 2025.

This means the prosecution’s allegations extend beyond the day Rylie died. The charging period covers approximately seven months leading up to the October 2025 incident.

The indictment reportedly alleges that Cleaver recklessly caused Rylie’s death by placing her at substantial risk.

However, publicly available reporting does not provide a detailed breakdown of the conduct prosecutors attribute to each individual charge.

It would therefore be inaccurate to suggest that the entire prosecution rests exclusively on the reported decision not to pursue a tracheotomy. The indictment covers a broader period, and the complete prosecution theory has not been publicly disclosed.

Why Did the Investigation Take Approximately One Year?

Rylie’s death was reported to police on October 1, 2025, but the grand jury indictment did not arrive until October 29, 2026.

Miami Township police described the investigation as continuing for approximately one year before the case progressed to the grand jury stage.

Authorities have not publicly explained every step taken during that period.

The available reporting also does not provide a verified, comprehensive account of forensic investigations, medical-examiner findings, phone or digital evidence, surveillance material or the complete witness list.

An evidence-focused review of the available sources also did not establish the existence of a publicly verified autopsy report, certified indictment document, bond order, defence filing or other detailed primary case materials.

These documents could become important as the proceedings continue, but their contents cannot be assumed without verified access.

Police Release a Statement Following the Indictment

Miami Township police have maintained a cautious approach to discussing the case.

The department confirmed its initial response to Rylie’s death and subsequently confirmed the arrest and indictment. However, it has not released a comprehensive narrative explaining precisely what investigators believe happened.

Dayton 24/7 Now reported that the department was continuing its investigation and had not shared further details.

Police expressed sympathy for Rylie’s family and loved ones, stating:

“The department extends its deepest sympathies to Rylie’s family and loved ones.”

The department also said:

“Our department remains dedicated to seeking justice and ensuring those responsible are held accountable through the judicial process.”

While these statements communicate the department’s position, they do not reveal additional evidence or explain the specific allegations supporting the charges.

Scott Cleaver Arrested and Held on Reported $1.5 Million Bond

Following the grand jury proceedings, Cleaver was arrested on October 29, 2026.

The arrest was carried out by the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team, after which he was booked into the Montgomery County Jail.

Later reporting by Law&Crime provided additional information about the proceedings. According to the publication, Cleaver pleaded not guilty, remains in custody on a reported $1.5 million bond, and has a court appearance scheduled for November 19, 2026.

These procedural details should be attributed to the later reporting, as the primary court docket was not independently verified in the sources reviewed.

Cleaver’s not-guilty plea represents his formal response to the allegations. It does not provide a detailed explanation of his position concerning Rylie’s medical care or the events surrounding her death.

No verified, detailed defence statement has been publicly established in the reporting reviewed.

What Remains Unknown About Rylie Cleaver’s Cause of Death?

Despite the information revealed through the 911 records, the complete medical explanation for Rylie’s death remains an important unanswered question.

The available reporting does not include a complete autopsy report or detailed medical-examiner findings establishing the cause and manner of death.

The dispatcher records describe what Cleaver reportedly said about Rylie’s condition, including her cerebral palsy, epilepsy, DNR order and recent swallowing difficulties.

However, those statements alone cannot establish that aspiration directly caused her death.

The publicly available information also does not establish that the proposed tracheotomy would definitely have prevented the outcome or that refusing it was medically proven to have caused her death.

Similarly, the complete factual basis for each of the three criminal charges has not been publicly explained.

Medical evidence, court filings and testimony may provide further information as the prosecution progresses.

Key Details in the Scott Cleaver Case

Case detail	Reported information
Child who died	Rylie Cleaver
Age	10
Father	Scott Cleaver
Father’s age	48
Location	Miami Township, Ohio
Residence area	Aldora Drive, 10000 block
Date of death	October 1, 2025
Investigation period	Approximately one year
Alleged offence period	March 1–October 1, 2025
Indictment date	October 29, 2026
Charges	Involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and endangering children
Arresting agency	Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team
Jail	Montgomery County Jail
Reported plea	Not guilty
Reported bond	$1.5 million
Next reported court date	November 19, 2026

What Happens Next in the Ohio Father Indictment Case?

As of November 5, 2026, Scott Cleaver’s criminal case remains pending.

The next reported court appearance is November 19, 2026, although subsequent court filings could change the schedule or provide additional information.

There has been no trial, conviction or sentencing.

Several important details remain unavailable publicly, including the complete indictment, a detailed probable-cause narrative, the full court docket, medical-examiner findings and the prosecution’s complete explanation of the evidence supporting the charges.

The identity of medical experts who may testify, the full witness list and the prosecution’s theory of medical causation have also not been publicly established.

These gaps matter because the case remains at the indictment stage, and the allegations have yet to be tested at trial.

Another Case
Another recent criminal case involving the death of a newborn has also moved forward through serious homicide charges. For another developing case, see our Avia Cantrell Fort Worth charge report.

Conclusion

The indictment of Scott Cleaver marks a significant development in the year-long investigation into the death of his 10-year-old daughter, Rylie Cleaver. The reported 911 conversation has brought attention to her medical condition, swallowing difficulties and a doctor’s proposed tracheotomy, while the charges cover a broader period of alleged conduct between March and October 2025.

However, the complete medical explanation for Rylie’s death and the specific evidence supporting each charge remain unclear from the publicly available reporting.

With Cleaver reportedly pleading not guilty and a further court appearance scheduled for November 19, the case remains ongoing. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Source and Research Disclaimer: This article has been prepared following research of the sources provided, including reporting by WHIO, Dayton 24/7 Now, Law&Crime, WLWT and WDTN reporting indexed by Muck Rack. It reflects information available from those sources as of November 5, 2026. Reported statements, allegations and procedural details have been attributed accordingly. The article does not imply independent verification of primary court or medical records that were not available in the provided material. Further verified court filings and official statements may provide additional information as the case progresses.

Sources

• Miami Township Police / local reporting via WHIO
• Dayton 24/7 Now: Miami Township father indicted in 10-year-old’s death case
• Law&Crime: Report on indictment and 911 records
• WLWT: Ohio father charged in death of his 10-year-old daughter
• WDTN reporting indexed by Muck Rack

Featured Image Credit: Miami Township Police Department