TIPP CITY – On September 6, 2023, deputies and the Bethel Township Fire Department were dispatched to 5595 Ross Road, Bethel Township, on a residential fire. The house was a loss, and the fire was deemed suspicious in nature. Detectives and an investigator from the State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to process the scene.
Through extensive investigation, two suspects were identified. Subsequently, Stephanie L Cahill (38) of Fairborn, and Nicholas A. Kelch (30) of Greenville, were charged with aggravated arson. Cahill was taken into custody in November and incarcerated in the Miami County Jail. She has since been released on bond awaiting trial. An arrest warrant was issued for Kelch, as detectives believed he had fled the area to avoid arrest. Recently, Kelch was located in Clarksville, Tennessee, by the U.S. Marshal’s Service, where he was arrested. Deputies transported Kelch back to Miami County, where he was incarcerated in the Miami County Jail.
Miami County Sheriff detectives and State Fire Marshal’s investigators have arrested a third person involved in the September 6, 2023, residential arson fire on Ross Road in Bethel Township. Ashley M. Howard (35) of Dayton, was taken into custody without incident and incarcerated in the Miami County Jail on February 28. Howard was charged with aggravated arson and remains in jail.
The investigation is continuing.
Special thanks to the State of Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office and the U.S. Marshal’s Service for their assistance in this investigation.
Dave Duchak, Sheriff of Miami County
