The Urgent Call to Address Domestic Violence in Springfield

My Experience at the Commissioners' Meeting

I had only three minutes to make my point. Did I receive any comments or questions from the Commissioners? Perhaps inquiries like, is that true? or how we can combat this epidemic. Unfortunately, my speech was cut down to fit the strict three-minute policy for public comments during the Commissioners' meeting.

Again, I am here to stress the gravity of the domestic violence epidemic that is plaguing our community.

The Tragic Reality of Domestic Violence

Mayor, Commissioners, thank you for the opportunity to speak this evening. Some of you might recall that I have addressed you many times before. Each time, my subject has been the same: the persistent, devastating epidemic of domestic violence in Springfield.

Today, I return not just to warn you, but to validate the tragic warnings I have previously shared. Let’s reflect on August 13, 2024. I stood before you and declared, "Springfield is a breeding ground for serial domestic violence offenders." You joked about it. You dismissed my concerns.

Contrast that with September 2024. At the Midwest Criminal Justice Conference in Chicago, I presented my study on serial domestic violence offenders. No one there laughed at my findings. These were professionals—PhD-educated criminologists who understand criminal behavior. They recognized the severity of the situation. Unlike those in charge of our city, they understand the consequences of ignoring this issue.

My findings were serious then, and they remain critically serious now.

A Dire Warning

On October 17, 2024, I held a public meeting right here in Springfield. I reiterated my warnings about serial domestic violence offenders. I stated unequivocally that Springfield has over 100 of these individuals. It was only a matter of time before we began to witness escalations leading to murder.

At that meeting, I highlighted a specific name to Commissioner Tracy Tackett: Raymond Scott. The Springfield Domestic Violence Coalition identified him as a serial domestic violence offender. Just a few months later, on February 15, 2025, my warnings became a horrific reality. Raymond Scott, 27, of Springfield, was indicted on charges including aggravated murder, murder, aggravated burglary, strangulation, and felonious assault for brutally killing Kaleena Bentley.

I explicitly warned you this could happen. I provided you with a name. Yet, you did not act with the urgency this crisis demands.

A Failing Justice System

For months, I emphasized your Chief Prosecutor Dibartalo's 83% dismissal rate involving domestic violence cases. An 83% failure rate results in a lack of protection for victims and accountability for abusers. I indicated that, based on observed systemic failures, our city would soon operate under a federal consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice. Springfield is now only three months away from facing this harsh reality.

I made it clear that you needed to fire the Prosecutor or demand his resignation. On March 15, he finally resigned. However, there was silence regarding his departure. There was also no announcement about Ms. Erin McEnaney’s promotion to Chief Prosecutor. Why the lack of transparency?

Legislative Changes: A Step Forward, But a Step Back

There is now talk of new laws as potential solutions to this epidemic. Ohio laws have increasingly recognized the severity of specific abusive acts that were once minimized. They have enhanced penalties, elevating certain offenses to felonies. Recently, the Governor signed House Bill 111, which presumes prison time for offenders convicted of third-degree felony domestic violence, given they have previous domestic violence convictions.

These enhancements are progress on paper. However, there exists a critical flaw—an inherent dependency within these new laws. They require a prior conviction of a domestic violence misdemeanor or felony. Unfortunately, that is precisely what the previous Chief Prosecutor failed to achieve, with an 83% dismissal rate in misdemeanor domestic violence cases.

Think about it. New laws designed to punish repeat offenders are rendered ineffective from the start. The system could not secure the initial convictions necessary to activate these enhancements.

A Call to Action

My question tonight, Mayor and Commissioners, is this: How many more people in our community must become victims? How many more lives, like Kaleena Bentley's, must be tragically lost before you start addressing this epidemic with the seriousness it warrants?

This is not a laughing matter. It is a matter of life and death for those you are sworn to protect.

The time for inaction, dismissal, and humor at this grave matter is over. The evidence of failure is undeniable, and the cost is counted in human lives.

My call to action is simple, direct, and urgent: Acknowledge the failures of the past. Demand accountability from our justice system leadership, starting now with the new Chief Prosecutor. Ensure they possess the resources, authority, and determination needed to aggressively prosecute domestic violence cases. Stop treating domestic violence as a minor nuisance. Implement strategies based on solid research and legitimate data, not ignorance. Springfield must cease being a breeding ground for serial abusers.

The lives of your constituents depend on it.