Trial date set for Markle

A trial date has been set for a Portland man who is facing charges related to his son’s death.

Jay Circuit Court Judge Brian Hutchison on Wednesday scheduled a two-day jury trial for Oct. 12 and 13 for Ryan A. Markle, 39, Portland, who is facing a Level 1 felony charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in death.

He is also facing charges of possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony, and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

A separate trial for Hayden Markle’s mother Jennifer Young on the same charges is scheduled for Nov. 11 and 12.

Hayden Markle, the 3-month-old son of Ryan Markle and Young, died March 6. An autopsy found the cause of death to be acute methamphetamine intoxication.

Jay Emergency Medical Service and Portland police were called March 6 to an upstairs apartment at 221 S. Meridian St., Portland, regarding a 3-month-old child who was not breathing. Hayden Markle was transported to IU Health Jay, where he was pronounced dead about an hour and a half later.

Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Child Services, Jay County Coroner’s Office and Jay County Prosecutor’s Office were involved in the investigation in addition to Portland police. It resulted in the April 15 arrests of Ryan Markle and Young.

In Indiana, Level 1 felony charges carry a sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.