The investigation found Detective Amy Welsh mishandled evidence in a 2012 sexual assault case and a 2018 kidnapping case, according to Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein.
September 18m, 2019
A Columbus Division of Police detective has been charged after an internal investigation found she failed to properly investigate sexual assault and kidnapping cases.
The investigation found Detective Amy Welsh mishandled evidence in a 2012 sexual assault case and a 2018 kidnapping case, according to Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein.
On June 2, 2012, Welsh was assigned a sexual battery case and interviewed the victim.
Three weeks later, Welsh took possession of the rape kit but failed to properly request lab testing. According to the city attorney’s office, Welsh wrote in an offense report that she was “waiting on labs” on August 1, 2012.
More than two years later in September 2014, a property room clerk discovered the rape kit and sent it to Ohio BCI for testing.
On October 27, 2014 and again on September 4, 2015, Welsh was notified that BCI found a DNA match in her case, but she failed to act.
In August 2019, a detective discovered one of the DNA reports in paperwork from Welsh’s desk.
In a separate case, Welsh was assigned a kidnapping case after a car with two young children inside was stolen rom a Rally’s parking lot on the city’s east side on June 17, 2018.
On July 9, 2018, Welsh received an envelope containing a DVD or surveillance video from Rally’s headquarters. Welsh inactivated the investigation on September 26, 2018 due to lack of new evidence despite having the video.
Welsh has been charged with three counts of dereliction of duty, each a second degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
Klein said Welsh has been relieved of duty and is subject to discipline up to and including termination.
