On Thursday morning at approximately 7:40, Ohio County authorities received information that a Beaver Dam man, Ronnie Leach, and his juvenile son had been forcibly detained all night at their residence located at 153 South Stanley Lane.
Police said the suspects in the case, Emily J. Herrin and Ronald D. Herrin II, are Leach’s daughter and son-in-law.
The Ohio County Sheriff’s Office said Leach and his son were held at gunpoint, while the Herrin’s took their cell phones, and bound their hands and feet with zip ties. The victims were then locked in closet for a short time before being placed in a bedroom.
Emily Herrin then stole a substantial amount of cash from her father, and stole his vehicle. She and Ronald Herrin drove to Indiana to purchase an unknown amount of heroin while Leach and his son remained restrained.
Leach’s father arrived at the residence Thursday morning and freed his son and grandson, who then notified authorities.
Police arrived at the Herrin’s residence and made contact with their four small children who told authorities that their parents were locked in the bedroom and would not open the door, or answer the children.
Based on the life threatening nature of the situation, law enforcement entered the residence and attempted to make contact with the Herrins, police said. The bedroom door was locked and no one answered when police announced their presence. The door was then forced open and Ronald and Emily Herrin were found unconscious on a bed.
Several attempts were made to wake up the parents, with Emily Herrin eventually regaining consciousness, but she “was not able to focus or tell what was happening,” police said. Ronald Herrin did not become responsive until after EMS was called to the scene and medical care was administered.
While in the bedroom providing first aid as they awaited the arrival of EMS, law enforcement noted several items of drug paraphernalia consistent with the consumption of heroin, resulting in the sheriff’s office obtaining a search warrant for the residence.
During a search of the home, police located syringes, scales and paraphernalia used in the consumption of heroin, as well as other drugs. The firearms used in the commission of the robbery and kidnapping of Leach and his son were also located and seized.
Ronald and Emily Herrin were transported to Ohio County Hospital for treatment, before being transferred to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital.
Both were both charged with robbery, two counts of kidnapping, five counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, and six counts of wanton endangerment. Emily Herrin was also charged with theft by unlawful taking over $500 (automobile).
Neither is currently listed as an inmate at the Ohio County Detention Center.
(Photo courtesy of Facebook)
