Mother of murdered toddler facing criminal charges

Tabitha Zimmerman, who has been charged with two counts of cruelty and injuries to children. She is being held in the RSW Regional Jail. Photo/RSW Jail

FRONT ROYAL– As the investigation continues into the death of a 22-month-old boy, the Warren County Sheriff’s Department on Monday (Nov. 13) released updated information, including criminal charges against the mother of the victim.

In a media release, Sheriff D.T. McEathron stated that Tabitha Zimmerman, 28, had been charged with two counts of cruelty and injuries to children.

On Nov. 8, when the county E-911 Communications Center received a call that a 22-month-old boy was in cardiac arrest at 908 Blue Mountain Road, Front Royal, the boy’s twin brother was also transported to Warren Memorial Hospital.

That child, according to the media release, was examined at Warren Memorial Hospital and was determined to need further medical attention. The toddler was admitted to a regional hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening, injuries.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division initially identified Chad Ritchie, 28, of 908 Blue Mountain Road, Front Royal as being a suspect in the death of the toddler.   He was charged with second degree murder, malicious wounding, and two counts of cruelty and injuries to children.

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Based upon further investigation, the children’s mother, Tabitha Zimmerman, was also arrested and charged.  In a Monday afternoon telephone interview, Lieutenant Phillip Henry said that Ms. Zimmerman, of the same address, was arrested and charged with two counts of cruelty and injuries to children on Nov. 9.

Both Ritchie and Zimmerman are currently being held at RSW Regional Jail.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Warren County Fire and Rescue and the Front Royal Police Department. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information regarding the case should contact Lieutenant Phillip Henry at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at 540-635-4128 or 540-635-7100.