Daddy Why? The Story of Chad Doerman Who Executed His Three Children

Inside the story of Chad Doerman

By Rare StoriesPublished 11 months ago • 3 min read

A 911 call was received from a woman who was screaming that her babies had been shot, followed by another call three minutes later from a separate caller who reported seeing an underage girl running down the road and claiming that her father was killing everyone.

The Tragic Incident

In a horrifying act that has left a small Ohio community reeling, 32-year-old Chad Doerman stands accused of executing his three young sons, aged 3, 4, and 7, in their Monroe Township home1.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, June 15, 2023 when, according to prosecutors, Doerman lined up his children and shot them with a rifle. One of the boys tried to flee into a field, but was pursued by Doerman, brought back to the house, and killed.

The mother of the boys was also shot in the hand as she tried to save her sons from their father's violent assault. The woman, whose identity has not been released, was later found outside the home and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment.

The deputies who arrived at the scene attempted to perform CPR on the boys, but to no avail. The identity of the boys, their mother, and a girl mentioned in a 911 call, has not been released, but officials confirmed that the girl is safe.

The Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Upon arriving at the scene, officers found Chad Doerman sitting calmly next to his rifle. The police bodycam footage shows Doerman sitting on a stoop at his home, the place where he allegedly carried out this horrendous act21. He was detained without incident and questioned.

Chad waited for the police after he killed his children

Doerman was later charged with three counts of aggravated murder. He allegedly confessed to not only committing the killings but also planning them1. The prosecutors sought and were granted a $20 million bond by Judge Jason Nagel.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for June 26, and after the case is taken to a grand jury, prosecutors plan to seek to have Doerman held without bond. The possibility of seeking the death penalty is being reviewed by the Clermont County Prosecutor, Mark Tekulve.

This tragic event has shaken the small community of Monroe Township, which is home to about 7,500 people, according to census data.

A statement from Tracey Miller, superintendent of the New Richmond Exempted School District, expressed the pain felt by the community, saying, "Our hearts are once again broken tonight as we yet again ask the community to lift up those affected by this horrific incident."

“This is by far the most sickening, horrifying crime I have seen,” Prosecutor Mark Tekulve said. “I can only imagine the terror that these little boys felt and experienced as their father ... their protector was murdering them. We will do our utmost within my office to see this defendant never sees the light of day again.”

His father, Keith Doerman, who lives in Florida, expressed shock and confusion about the incident, mentioning that Chad seemed fine when he visited him a week prior to the event. He also insisted that Chad had no history of mental illness, strange behavior, or a criminal record, although it was reported that Chad once choked his father in 2010, a case which was later dismissed.