Neighbor who took 11-year-old girl on late-night boat ride that left child dead is in much bigger trouble now

A 41-year-old Ohio woman who was already accused of endangering an 11-year-old girl who disappeared less than 15 minutes into a late-night boat ride on Lake Erie has been indicted on an upgraded charge after the child was found dead in the water.

A Lucas County grand jury on Wednesday returned a true bill indicting Kristen Gerrie on one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of endangering children in the death of Angelique Cunningham, according to court records.

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In the indictment, prosecutors charged Gerrie with manslaughter by alleging that Angelique’s death was the “proximate result” of Gerrie committing felony child endangerment by creating a “substantial risk to the health or safety” of the child through a violation of her “duty of care, protection, or support.”

The upgraded charges stem from the events of July 1 and July 2, when Angelique disappeared during what authorities described as a recreational boating trip on Lake Erie.

As Law&Crime previously reported, Angelique, Gerrie, and 38-year-old Jonathan Ciha departed from Meinke Marina in Jerusalem Township late on the night of July 1 aboard Ciha’s recreational boat. Authorities later determined the 11-year-old was no longer on the vessel less than 15 minutes after it left the harbor.

Investigators have not disclosed any details about what they believe happened aboard the boat.

Dispatchers first received a call at about 1:30 a.m. on July 2 from a woman who said she had swum to shore from a boat. That woman was later identified as Gerrie.

About nine hours later, emergency crews recovered Ciha’s body floating near Meinke Marina. The boat itself was later found abandoned near West Sister Island, roughly 10 miles away.

After an extensive search that authorities ultimately shifted from a rescue operation to a recovery effort, searchers found Angelique’s body near the shoreline in the same area where Ciha was recovered. An autopsy determined her death was consistent with drowning, while the Lucas County Coroner’s Office also ruled Ciha drowned.

Authorities arrested Gerrie after Angelique’s body was found, initially charging her with one count of child endangerment. Investigators have not publicly explained what occurred on the boat or disclosed what evidence led to that charge beyond alleging that Angelique was in Gerrie’s care when she disappeared.

The grand jury has now concluded there is probable cause to additionally charge Gerrie with first-degree felony involuntary manslaughter.

The filings allege that Gerrie’s conduct constituted felony child endangerment and that Angelique’s death occurred as a result of that underlying offense.

Gerrie’s case will move forward in Lucas County Common Pleas Court. It was not immediately clear when she was scheduled to return to court.

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