In the fall of 2015, a minor female disclosed to her therapist that she had been sexually assaulted by Donald Tomlin throughout her childhood. The victim's therapist immediately notified police and an investigation began, led by Covington Detective Nick Klaiss. The minor victim was taken to the Northern Kentucky Children's Advocacy Center for a forensic interview. During her forensic interview the victim identified an additional victim who had also been sexually assaulted by Donald Tomlin. Further investigation revealed the second victim had also been sexually assaulted by Tomlin throughout her childhood as well. Both victims were approximately age 7 when the assaults began and 12 years old when the assaults ceased.

Detective Klaiss interviewed Tomlin on November 4, 2015, at the Covington Police Department. During that interview, Tomlin admitted to committing multiple sexual assaults against the two victims. Tomlin also stated he was sexually attracted to children, specifically stating, "I never did think of it as an age range. I always thought of it as the personality of the child." Tomlin was arrested and charged with multiple sexual offenses related to these two minors.

In January, 2016, the Kenton County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Tomlin for multiple counts of Rape, Sodomy and Sexual Abuse. The case was presented again to the Grand Jury on July 21, 2016, where additional counts of those same offenses were added. Tomlin was indicted for a total of 11 sexual assaults of the two children.

The case was called for trial on July 25, 2017 before Kenton Circuit Court Judge Gregory Bartlett. The Commonwealth was represented by Assistant Commonwealth Attorney's Maria Schletker and Lawrence Hilton. Both victims testified to the sexual assaults perpetrated on them by Tomlin. Detective Nick Klaiss was also called to testify regarding Tomlin's interview and portions of the confession were played for the jury. The Commonwealth's other witnesses included Dr. Jackie Anderson, from the Northern Kentucky Children's Advocacy Center, who conducted a physical examination of one of the minor victims.

Tomlin testified on his own behalf and admitted to committing some of the sexual assaults, but argued he did not commit all the assaults described.

The jury deliberated approximately 6 hours before finding Tomlin guilty of all 11 counts. After a sentencing hearing, the same jury returned a verdict recommending Tomlin serve Life in prison for his crimes. 

On November 6, 2017, Tomlin appeared again before Judge Gregory Bartlett for formal, final sentencing. After hearing arguments from both parties, as well as an emotional plea for a life sentence from each of the victims, the judge followed the jury's recommendation and sentenced Tomlin to Life in prison.

On November 17, 2015, around 5:00 p.m., Kenton County Police responded to a head-on motor vehicle collision on Decoursey Pike in Ryland Heights. Responding officers discovered Michelle A. Hirnikel's Saturn SUV was still across the double yellow line, with heavy front-end damage. Hirnikel had been traveling northbound on Decoursey Pike when she crossed left of center and struck another vehicle driven by Tammy Beyer. The collision left Beyer's Toyota Camry so heavily damaged it was almost unrecognizable and trapped Beyer in the vehicle. Fire and EMS from Ryland Heights, Taylor Mill, and Alexandria responded to the scene, where it took approximately 30 minutes for firefighters to cut Beyer from her vehicle with the jaws of life. Beyer was then flown to University of Cincinnati Medical Center by helicopter with serious injuries.

Hirnikel was lethargic, going in and out of consciousness at the scene until EMTs administered two doses of Narcan, a drug commonly used to reverse the effects of opiate overdose. Hirnikel was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Edgewood where investigators obtained a blood sample from her. Toxicology testing by the KY State Police Central Lab in Frankfort revealed levels of Oxycodone and Alprazolam (Xanax) in Hirnikel's system.

Kenton County Police Detective Stephen Benner, who led the investigation, testified at trial, along with Kenton County Police Sgt. Chris Haddle and Sgt. Jason Fields, as well as Jim Shoemaker, the Assistant Chief of the Ryland Heights Fire Department. At trial, Hirnikel claimed that she was not under the influence and had not broken any laws because both drugs were prescribed to her.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Emily Arnzen called Dr. Gregory J. Davis, from the University of Kentucky Medical Center, to testify about effects of mixing Oxycodone and Alprazolam. Dr. Davis further testified regarding the quantity of Oxycodone and Alprazolam found in Hirnikel's blood. Davis explained that Hirnikel's levels were consistent with the Defendant having taken more Alprazolam and more Oxycodone then that which was prescribed.

After less than an hour of deliberation, the jury returned verdicts finding Michelle Hirnikel guilty of Assault Second Degree, Criminal Mischief First Degree, and Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence, Aggravating Circumstances. The jury recommended a sentence of five years in prison.