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LISBON -- Upcoming court dates were set Friday in the case against Seth T. Hildebrand, who is accused of causing the death of a 2-year-old child in December 2024.
Dates were set for an interim status conference hearing at 10 a.m. on Jan. 15, a final status conference hearing at 9 a.m. on March 2, and a jury trial at 9 a.m. on April 6 during a brief pretrial hearing Friday. Hildebrand, 21, Birch Road, East Liverpool, who was in attendance Friday, has been out of jail on a $200,000 cash or surety bond.
In July, Hildebrand entered a not guilty plea to charges of first-degree felony involuntary manslaughter, and third-degree felony endangering children. According to the indictment, Hildebrand is alleged to have caused the death of a child born in February 2022 on Dec. 30, 2024-Dec. 31, 2024. The indictment alleges that the death was the result of Hildebrand "committing or attempting to commit the felony offense of endangering children." The indictment only lists the child's initials, A.D., and date of birth.
Columbiana County Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino previously said that by law, his office can't currently disclose the victim's name. Abruzzino also said that the Columbiana County Sheriff's Office had been notified by UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. about an injured child. A press release from Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin said that the call indicated the child was at the hospital for a brain bleed, and that it was suspected that the injury was the result of child abuse. According to the release, Hildebrand was caring for the child at the time of the injury.
The victim died on Jan. 3, 2025, due to those injuries.