Father and 4-Year-Old Dead After Amish Family Tragedy at Atwood Lake

Atwood Lake

Authorities in Tuscarawas County are investigating a tragic case involving an Amish family that left a father and his young son dead, while the mother remains hospitalized for mental health concerns.

The incident unfolded over the weekend at Atwood Lake, where the family from Holmes County had been visiting. At around 10:40 a.m. Saturday, investigators say the mother deliberately drove a golf cart off a dock into the lake with her three teenage children on board, including a 15-year-old daughter and twin 18-year-old sons. All three teens managed to escape the water unharmed.

Emergency crews who assisted the mother reported that she made disturbing statements about “conversing with God,” raising concerns for the safety of her missing 4-year-old son and 45-year-old husband.

A witness had spotted the father at a separate boat dock around 1 a.m. Saturday. Later that evening, divers recovered the body of the young boy from the water, followed by the discovery of the father’s body on Sunday morning.

The mother is currently in the hospital receiving psychiatric care, while the three teenagers have been placed with other family members.

The Tuscarawas County Sheriff confirmed that a press conference was scheduled for Monday afternoon to provide further details.