Butler DA weighs death penalty in 4-year-old boy’s killing

The Butler County district attorney said Tuesday that a “horrific” case in which a 4-year-old boy was raped and killed calls out for capital punishment, but he will not make the decision until the case has moved past the preliminary hearing stage.

“It would appear on its face it asks for the death penalty,” said DA Richard Goldinger. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Keith Jordan Lambing, 20, is accused of assaulting his girlfriend’s son, Bentley Miller, who was found bleeding and unresponsive in a car March 21 with Mr. Lambing’s mother, Kristen Herold, at a business on Renaissance Drive in Butler.

The boy was pronounced dead a short time later at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Police said that in addition to injuries associated with sodomy, Bentley had bruises to the head, body and extremities.

“It’s unimaginable someone could do something like this to any human being, let alone a 4year-old,” Mr. Goldinger said.

He said police were still investigating and that charges could be filed against Bentley’s mother, Mackenzie Peters.

“I don’t think she’s going to get out of this scot-free,” Mr. Goldinger said.

Ms. Herold is charged with hindering apprehension and endangering the welfare of children.

Ms. Herold told police she had picked up the boy that morning at a Super 8 motel on Pittsburgh Road in Butler.

Her son had been living there for several weeks with Ms. Peters, Bentley and the couple’s 4-monthold son.

The infant was taken into custody by Butler County Children, Youth and Families.

Mr. Goldinger said CYF had been called about two years ago when Bentley had a broken arm, but the complaint was not sustained, and no case was opened.