William Alex McCallister arrested on murder indictment in Athens County infant death

Authorities arrested William Alex McCallister on murder charges in Athens County, where the infant's parents also face child endangering charges.

Athens County

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Mugshot portrait of William Alex McCallister with short dark hair, beard, and plaid collared shirt.

William Alex McCallister in a booking photograph released by authorities.

Credit: Athens County Sheriff's Office / CW Columbus (WSYX) Image source

A suspect wanted in connection with the death of an infant in Athens County has been arrested, after 32-year-old William "Alex" McCallister was indicted for murder in connection with the 3-month-old girl's death.

According to the Athens County Sheriff's Office, the suspect was arrested Wednesday after authorities dedicated available resources to finding him. Court records show he faces seven charges, including two counts of murder, while his indictment includes multiple felony charges, including endangering children, felonious assault, corrupting another with drugs and permitting drug abuse. Sheriff Smith asked anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of William Alex McCallister to contact the office, though WCMH reported William McCassliter was arrested on Wednesday.

According to investigators, the couple left their daughter in the care of William Alex McCallister on Feb. 21. During that time, McCallister allegedly inflicted deadly injuries on the Nelsonville infant, according to investigators. The infant died from her injuries on Feb. 26, 2026, Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith announced.

The autopsy wasn't filed until Aug. 28, as the prosecutor's office waited for the cause of death before deciding on charges.

The sheriff's office arrested Edinger and Dye on Wednesday, Oct. 28, taking Hannah Edinger, 29, and Justin Dye, 25, into custody without incident on felony charges of endangering children. Both parents were charged with third-degree felony child endangering and placed bond.

According to the prosecutor's office, Edinger's next court appearance is Nov. 24 and Dye's court appearance is Dec. 3.

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How we know this

The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.

  1. https://www.wsaz.com/2026/11/05/man-wanted-murder-infants-death-arrested/

    www.wsaz.com

    Accessed

    Supporting evidence (3)
    • A suspect wanted in connection with the death of an infant in Athens County has been arrested, after 32-year-old William "Alex" McCallister was indicted for murder in connection with the 3-month-old girl's death.

      Read supporting passage
      A man wanted in connection with the death of an infant in Athens County has been arrested, County Sheriff Rodney Smith said Thursday evening.
    • Court records show he faces seven charges, including two counts of murder, while his indictment includes multiple felony charges, including endangering children, felonious assault, corrupting another with drugs and permitting drug abuse.

      Read supporting passage
      Last month, William “Alex” McCallister, 32, was indicted on multiple felony charges, including murder, endangering children, felonious assault, corrupting another with drugs, and permitting drug abuse.
    • During that time, McCallister allegedly inflicted deadly injuries on the Nelsonville infant, according to investigators.

      Read supporting passage
      The infant was from Nelsonville, Ohio. Investigators said McCallister is alleged to have inflicted deadly injuries upon the 3-month-old baby who died last February.
  2. Man wanted on murder charge in Athens County infant's death arrested

    www.10tv.com

    Published · Accessed

    Supporting evidence (1)
    • A suspect wanted in connection with the death of an infant in Athens County has been arrested, after 32-year-old William "Alex" McCallister was indicted for murder in connection with the 3-month-old girl's death.

      Read supporting passage
      32-year-old William "Alex" McCallister was indicted for murder in connection with a 3-month-old girl's death.
  3. Ohio man wanted in infant's death arrested on murder charge

    Adam Conn

    Published · Accessed

    Supporting evidence (3)
    • According to the Athens County Sheriff's Office, the suspect was arrested Wednesday after authorities dedicated available resources to finding him.

      Read supporting passage
      According to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, William McCassliter was arrested Wednesday, and court records show he is facing seven charges – two counts of murder, two counts
    • Court records show he faces seven charges, including two counts of murder, while his indictment includes multiple felony charges, including endangering children, felonious assault, corrupting another with drugs and permitting drug abuse.

      Read supporting passage
      court records show he is facing seven charges – two counts of murder, two counts
    • Sheriff Smith asked anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of William Alex McCallister to contact the office, though WCMH reported William McCassliter was arrested on Wednesday.

      Read supporting passage
      ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) — A man wanted in connection with the death of a 3-month-old in Athens County is in custody and now facing a murder charge. According to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, William McCassliter was arrested Wednesday
  4. https://www.wtap.com/2026/10/30/parents-arrested-suspect-still-sought-3-month-olds-death-athens-county/

    www.wtap.com

    Accessed

    Supporting evidence (6)
    • According to the Athens County Sheriff's Office, the suspect was arrested Wednesday after authorities dedicated available resources to finding him.

      Read supporting passage
      The sheriff’s office says it is dedicating all available resources to finding McCallister.
    • Sheriff Smith asked anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of William Alex McCallister to contact the office, though WCMH reported William McCassliter was arrested on Wednesday.

      Read supporting passage
      “We are asking anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of William Alex McCallister to contact the Athens County Sheriff’s Office. Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could be important in locating him,” stated Sheriff Smith.
    • According to investigators, the couple left their daughter in the care of William Alex McCallister on Feb. 21.

      Read supporting passage
      Investigators say the couple left their daughter in the care of William Alex McCallister on Feb. 21.
    • The infant died from her injuries on Feb. 26, 2026, Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith announced.

      Read supporting passage
      “During this time, McCallister is alleged to have inflicted fatal injuries upon the child, resulting in her death on February 26, 2026,” advised Sheriff Rodney Smith.
    • The autopsy wasn't filed until Aug. 28, as the prosecutor's office waited for the cause of death before deciding on charges.

      Read supporting passage
      The baby died in February, but the autopsy wasn’t filed until Aug. 28. The Prosecutor’s Office says it waited for the cause of death before deciding on charges.
    • The sheriff's office arrested Edinger and Dye on Wednesday, Oct. 28, taking Hannah Edinger, 29, and Justin Dye, 25, into custody without incident on felony charges of endangering children.

      Read supporting passage
      The Athens County Sheriff’s Office, with help from the Prosecutor’s Office, arrested Hannah Edinger, 29, and Justin Dye, 25, on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Both face felony charges of endangering children. Deputies arrested them without incident.
  5. https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/athens-county-parents-indicted-infant-014553687.html

    www.yahoo.com

    Accessed

    Supporting evidence (2)
    • Both parents were charged with third-degree felony child endangering and placed bond.

      Read supporting passage
      Dye and Edinger have both been charged with endangering children, a third-degree felony. Both have placed bond, according to the release.
    • According to the prosecutor's office, Edinger's next court appearance is Nov. 24 and Dye's court appearance is Dec. 3.

      Read supporting passage
      Edinger's next court appearance is Nov. 24 and Dye's is Dec. 3.

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