Nicotine May Have Killed Infant

BY GREG BROWN, Times-Union Staff Writer

The infant died the day she and her mother were due in court for a custody hearing.

Lois Marie Ozenbaugh, 11 months, 7820 North Blacks Street, North Webster, was reportedly found dead by her mother, Cristina Crooks. Crooks, 19, reportedly told Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies the child had been sick the night before.

Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe said an autopsy performed Jan. 24 found cigarettes in the girl’s stomach. Kolbe said the autopsy was ordered because hospital oficials noticed damage to the child’s throat. Kolbe and other authorities would no speculate on how the throat injuries may have occurred.

“Our immediate fear is that the child suffered nicotine poisoning,” he said.

Kolbe said there were five cigarettes in the child’s stomach. Reportedly the cigarettes were intact enough to be able to recognize the brand.

Crooks was due to report to a custody hearing a few hours after the child’s death. KCSD deputies received the call from Crooks reporting the girl’s death at 6:38 a.m. Jan. 24.

At this point no charges are pending against Crooks, but she has not been ruled out as a suspect in her daughter’s death.

“It would be within the zone from felony negligence up to potentially homicide if we find evidence of any intent,” said Kolbe. The prosecutor said he had no specific evidence indicating Crooks had intent.

But he added, “One has to consider all the circumstances and the fact that here this child was due to be in court and the mother could potentially lose physical custody that day.”

The prosecutor said the toxicology report will not be back for almost a week.

Crooks gave birth to Lois Marie Ozenbaugh on Jan. 30, 1996. Crooks reportedly gave the child to a friend’s parents, Dave and Vickie Dittman, Warsaw.

The Dittmans became attached to Lois and her 2-year-old sister, Autumn. The Dittmans said they had cared for Lois and Autumn almost 10of the little girl’s 11 months.

On the day after Christmas Crooks arrived with Warsaw police officers to take the two girls back from the Dittmans.

The couple had sought guardian custody of the girls and a hearing was set for Jan. 24, the day Lois died.

Just prior to the scheduled hearing at court the couple were told Lois had died.