On June 15, 2023, Chad Doerman, 32, allegedly shot and killed his three sons — Clayton (7), Hunter (4), and Chase (3) — execution-style at their Monroe Township, Clermont County, Ohio home. According to authorities, he shot one son while he slept, another while the child was trying to run away, and the youngest while lying on the ground after the mother and sister attempted to save him. The children's mother was shot in her hand while trying to protect the boys and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. A young girl (the children's sister) ran down the road screaming that her father was killing everyone, prompting a 911 call. Deputies found Doerman sitting on the front steps with a rifle beside him. He was arrested and indicted on 21 counts including nine counts of aggravated murder. Doerman had allegedly been contemplating the killings since October 2022. He pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The children were killed by gunshot. Document 1 states: "Doerman allegedly lined up the boys — later identified as Clayton, 7, Hunter, 4, and Chase, 3 — and shot them execution-style." Deputies found Doerman "sitting on the steps with a rifle sitting next to him." Document 2 states: "Doerman's sons Clayton, 7, Hunter, 4, and Chase, 3, were shot and killed at their home by their father."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The children were fatally shot by their father. Document 1 states: "Doerman allegedly lined up the boys... and shot them execution-style." Document 2 provides further detail: "Doerman shot one son while he slept, another while he was trying to run away and the youngest while he was laying on the ground after his mother and sister tried to save him." Additionally, their mother was "shot in her hand trying to protect them."
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Chad Doerman is the biological father of the three boys he is accused of killing. Document 1 describes the victims as "his three sons" and states he was "accused of fatally shooting his three sons execution-style." Document 2 similarly identifies the victims as "Doerman's sons" who "were shot and killed at their home by their father."
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Document 1 states: "Doerman was indicted last summer on nine counts of aggravated murder, eight counts of kidnapping and four counts of assault." Body-camera footage showed "Doerman being forced to the ground and handcuffed." Document 2 confirms: "He was previously indicted on 21 counts, including nine counts of aggravated murder in June 2023."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The father shot the children's mother during the same incident. Document 1 states: "The children's mother, who suffered a gunshot to her hand while trying to protect her sons, was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries." Document 2 states: "The boys' mother, 34, was shot in her hand trying to protect them." This constitutes domestic violence by the parent/caregiver against the other parent.
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Document 2 states that Doerman "pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity" and that "The state of Ohio asking for a second evaluation to determine 32-year-old Chad Doerman's mental condition on June 15, 2023." Additionally, Doerman told police "the thoughts of having to kill his sons [were] so heavy on him that he hadn't slept for three or four days prior to murdering his three sons." These references directly address the mental health of the parent/caregiver.
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the sources. First, Document 1 describes a significant defense motion to suppress evidence, alleging Doerman's Miranda rights were violated: "Mr. Doerman is never presented with a written copy of his rights... The Detective never asks Mr. Doerman if he wants to waive those rights; he never asks Mr. Doerman to sign a waiver of those rights." The motion also states Doerman "requested a lawyer minutes later" but "during the three hours of questioning that followed, his request was allegedly not mentioned again by investigators." Defense attorneys also accused authorities of inserting themselves "into what should have been private, confidential discussions between Mr. Doerman and his health care providers." Second, Document 2 reveals the attack was premeditated over many months: Doerman "was allegedly contemplating killing his sons since October 2022" — approximately eight months before the murders. Third, Doerman entered dual pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. The specific manner of the killings is also noteworthy: one son was shot while sleeping, another while trying to run away, and the youngest while on the ground after the mother and sister tried to save him. A young girl (the children's sister) was a witness who ran down the road screaming that "her father was killing everyone."
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