Judge dismisses criminal case against former Coldwater EMS worker

CELINA — A Mercer County Common Pleas judge has dismissed the criminal case against former Coldwater EMS worker Ashlee Heinl-Botkin.

Judge Matthew K. Fox granted the State of Ohio's motion to dismiss the case without prejudice. The case is listed as 23-CRM-148 in Mercer County Common Pleas Court.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office filed the motion Friday, asking the court to dismiss the case based on what prosecutors described as recent developments in the evidence and newly discovered evidence.

The state said probable cause existed when Heinl-Botkin was originally indicted, but requested dismissal based on the newly discovered evidence.

Because the dismissal was without prejudice, the state could potentially bring the case again in the future.

Heinl-Botkin had faced numerous criminal charges stemming from an investigation involving missing medications from the Coldwater branch of Mercer County EMS.

The latest court filing does not disclose what the newly discovered evidence is or provide details about what led prosecutors to seek dismissal.

The motion was filed by Ohio Attorney General D. Andrew Wilson through Assistant Attorneys General Drew Wood and Kaitlin Wilkin.

The dismissal brings the current criminal case to an end unless prosecutors later decide to pursue new charges.