A grand jury indictment in Defiance County includes a charge of Aggravated Murder against a Paulding County woman.   Defiance County Prosecuting Attorney Morris Murray reports 45 year old Judith Hawkey of Oakwood has been indicted in connection with the 2003 shooting death of her former husband, Robert Breininger.   The six count indictment was the result of a joint investigation that included the Defiance County Sheriff’s office, and the Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes against Children Task Force.

                        The indictment states that on November 3^rd, 2003, Defiance County deputies along with emergency personnel were called to Kyle Street in Mark Center, regarding an alleged accidental shooting involving a ten year old boy.  Robert Breininger was found in a bedroom of the residence, with a single gunshot wound to the head.  Mr. Breininger was pronounced dead at the scene.               Although the death was originally thought to be accidental, more recent information alleges that Judith Hawkey had complicity in the shooting death, by having an innocent or irresponsible person commit the murder.

Hawkey has also been charged with four counts of Endangering Children, with the indictment alleging that she tortured or cruelly abused a child between the ages of 7 and 10.             Another indictment against Judith Hawkey alleges Insurance Fraud, for attemping to collect life insurance proceeds, as a result of her husband, Robert Breininger’s death.

This investigation is ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone with information related to the death of Robert Breininger, or to Judith Hawkey, should contact the Defiance County Sheriff’s office.