GALLIPOLIS, Ohio (WSAZ) – He was a two-year-old little boy who only wanted to be loved and cared for by his parents. Instead, his parents are charged with endangering his safety and his father convicted of killing him.

It's a troubling case that leaves family members devastated blaming a system they say failed horribly.

In tonight's Cover Story, we talk with a grandfather working to achieve justice for his grandson by putting away his own daughter and son-in-law.

“He was a very loveable kid--he loved to play, but he was also reflective,” said Dave Mohler, Trenton Jones’ grandfather.

But, little Trenton Jones, at the age of two, wasn't going to live to see three. Last year, one evening in early October, Dave Mohler got a devastating phone call. His grandson was in the emergency room with severe injuries.

“I understood he had no pulse and they had revived him,” said Dave.

Dave got Trenton's older sister, Samara, who was three, and watched as her little brother was life-flighted to Columbus.

“I waited for the chopper to fly over and I said there goes your brother and she said there goes Trenton... And that was the last night she saw him alive,” said Dave.

“Based on the physical evidence and autopsy reports, Trenton's head was repeatedly hit against something long and flat, most likely a table, which would be consistent with some of the disclosures made by Samara, the sister,” said Paul Scarsella, Special Prosecutor for the case.

Paul Scarsella was the special prosecutor on the case assigned from the Ohio Attorney General's Office. Suspect number one--Jason Jones, the boy's father. He was the only adult home with Trenton at the time. Statements from his own daughter built an airtight case against him.

“Not only was she in the home, she was in the room when it happened,” said Dave.

“Jason has never... Other than his numerous statements- Trenton fell, Trenton tripped, none of which are consistent with the injuries. He had a skull fracture and numerous contusions to his head. Unfortunately, Trenton's sister, who is going through counseling, has divulged statements about what happened and could have used that as testimony,” said Paul.

But, none of that was necessary. Jason pleaded guilty to murder and accepted a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole in 15 years. Jason had no comment about the sentence other than to say it’s a very long time and he didn’t hurt his son.

But, allegations of abuse didn't start on the night Trenton was killed. Dave said there was a history and dangerous pattern of child and drug abuse. Both parents have a criminal history. Child endangerment charges are still pending against Trenton's mother--Dave's daughter, Tina.

“She has avoided, up until now the situation. This wasn't just the father. If the child was being abused, it’s someones responsible for getting the child out of the home and if the father is not doing it, then the mother should do it,” said Dave.

That's why Dave is pushing for his daughter to also do some prison time. But, he says there's a third party that's also to blame for all of this.

“Conversations I've had with children's services--they had the opportunity to do drug test-which the court ordered. They failed to do that and failed to make visits to the home. One of the things we're going to do after the second trial is ask for children's services records and have them reviewed. If nothing else, I think children's services should be taken to task for this death to stop it from happening to another child because this is a senseless death,” said Dave.

I talked to the Executive Director of Gallia County Children's Services about Mr. Mohler's allegations. She says all visits are mandated by the court and are made on time and with consistency. As far as the drug testing, she says they are not a drug testing agency. But, any time there are known drug problems, that is written up in the case plan and they follow up with the agencies that do those tests to make sure they're administered. The director says her heart goes out to Trenton's family and understands the family's emotional strain.
charges against Tina Jones, Trenton's mother, for child endangering are still pending and her trial is upcoming.