Hearing delayed for Hamilton man accused of pouring hot grease on woman, her baby

May 10—A Hamilton man accused of tossing hot grease on a woman and her baby will return to Butler County Common Pleas Court next week, then his trial will start in June.

Michael Maloney, 42, of Sycamore Street in Hamilton, is charged with aggravated burglary and two counts of felonious assault for the incident that happened Dec. 21, 2021, according to court records.

He appeared in court Monday morning and Butler County Common Pleas Judge Greg Stephens delayed the hearing one week to give officials time to meet with the victims.

His hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. May 16 and the trial, scheduled for four days, will begin on June 28, Stephens said.

Maloney remains housed in the Butler County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bond.

Earlier, in a motion to suppress, Defense Attorney Ched Peck alleged Maloney gave "incriminating" statements to police that were not made voluntarily, but procured by intimidation, coercion or deception by detectives and without proper Miranda warning.

The defense also argued evidence from the search warrants, including one of Maloney's cell phone were improperly obtained and the evidence found should be tossed out at trial.

On April 5, Stephens denied all of the defense motions.

Jayla Witt, called dispatchers about 7:50 a.m. Dec. 21 screaming that someone had broken into her Grand Boulevard residence and burned her and the child.

Hamilton Sgt. Richard Burkhardt said in January the woman and her 16-month-old son were intentionally doused with hot oil.

An investigation pointed to Maloney as the suspect. He was taken into custody Dec. 29 in Kentucky, waived extradition and was booked into the Butler County Jail that day.