TOLEDO, Ohio — Two recent tragedies — one in northwest Ohio and another in Louisiana — are prompting renewed concern from advocates who say domestic violence often escalates during moments of change and can impact far more than just the people directly involved.
In Sylvania, investigators are examining a homicide allegedly committed by Jonathan Schmidt. Days later, a separate case in Louisiana involving multiple children drew national attention. While the circumstances differ, advocates say the underlying dynamics are familiar.
“Sadly, I wasn’t surprised,” said Deidra Lashley, executive director of Bethany House. “Those are the kinds of cases that we see over and over again.”…