Middletown police arrested Anson Pride, 41, Saturday afternoon after being identified as the suspect with the help of video from the scene. Police Chief David Birk said the woman appeared to be protecting herself in an altercation with Pride, who police suspect was breaking into houses in the neighborhood before the fire.
Calhoun returned to her residence at 1212 Lind St. with her young daughter, age 6, and found Calhoun inside and there was a confrontation, according to Maj. Scott Reeve. Pride stabbed Calhoun with a weapon that was already at the scene, he said.
Detective Ryan Morgan said in Middletown Municipal Court documents Pride was found near Oakland Park at Baltimore Street and Fairmount Avenue and fled from police. After Pride was apprehended, the detective interviewed him and said he confessed.
“(Pride) subsequently confessed to gaining entry to the home by stealth (and) stabbing the victim when she confronted him and fleeing the scene on foot,” Morgan wrote in the court documents.
Pride is charged with aggravated murder and aggravated burglary.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
More charges are possible when the case is presented to a grand jury including arson and another murder charge.
Reeve said police have been told Calhoun was pregnant when she died, which could mean a second murder charge, but investigators are awaiting the autopsy results from the Butler County Coroner’s office to confirm. The autopsy is scheduled to be conducted Tuesday.
Pride was arraigned this morning in Middletown Municipal Court where Visiting Judge Chris Atkins set bond at $1.25 million. He will be back in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 24.
According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Pride was released from prison on Aug. 9 after serving a sentence for burglary and aggravated burglary.
On Thursday, Pride was arrested for allegedly breaking into his mother’s garage on Woodlawn Avenue. He was charged with criminal damaging and criminal trespassing. Pride was released from the city jail on his own recognizance due to a medical issue, according to the police report.
Calhoun’s daughter is with family members.
“It is very sad and traumatic for her,” Reeve said. “The little girl wanted to stay with her mother. She was still alive then, but told her to get out of the house because of the fire.”
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