Michael Bolen Obituary, Death; – A McGuffey man who killed his father more than a year ago in Hardin County was sentenced Wednesday to 19 years to life in prison.
Dustin Bolen, 43, pleaded guilty in March to charges of murder, a first-degree felony; tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; and gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony. The charges stemmed from the death of his father, 66-year-old Michael Bolen, whose body was found late last year beneath a family home in McGuffey.
With several family members of the victim and defendant present at Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, Hardin County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Christopher called the case “a tragedy for everyone in this courtroom. There is no good resolution to a situation like this, nothing to take away the pain that you will feel for the rest of your life.”
Court-appointed defense counsel Drew Wortman said his client had a “tumultuous relationship” with his father that was exaggerated by substance abuse and mental health issues. Wortman asked the judge to impose concurrent sentences on the three charges, but Christopher decided to tack them on consecutively.
Hardin County Prosecutor Brad Bailey said the plea deal accepted by Bolen left little doubt what his sentence would be: “Our hands are tied; the sentence (for murder) is set by the legislature,” he said.
Bolen spoke briefly before the sentence was imposed, apologizing to family members and hinting at a lifetime of pent-up anger and tension between he and his father.
“I have my addiction, and he had his issues. I wish I could have just walked away, but I just couldn’t take it anymore,” Dustin Bolen said. “I’m sorry.” Jessica Anderson, Michael Bolen’s daughter and Dustin’s sister, spoke on behalf of the family.
“I love my dad; I love my brother. I know Dad wanted my brother to get help,” she said. “I forgive my brother and pray that he heals and learns from his experiences.” Addressing her brother directly, Anderson said, “Thank you for telling the truth and taking responsibility.”
Christopher imposed a mandatory prison sentence of 15 years to life on the murder charge. The judge also ordered sentences of 36 months for tampering with evidence and 12 months for abuse of a corpse and ordered all sentences to be served consecutively.
Hardin County authorities were alerted more than a year ago that Michael Bolen’s whereabouts were unknown. The county sheriff’s office began an investigation and identified Dustin Bolen as a person of interest in the case.
On April 5, 2024, he was arrested for violating a no-contact order after a previous domestic violence incident with his father. From April to November, searches with cadaver dogs were conducted at Michael Bolen’s residence and other areas in Hardin County to no avail, according to the sheriff’s office.
On Dec. 16, Dustin Bolen confessed to family members that he had killed his father and buried him in the crawl space of their residence, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office. On Dec. 17, a search warrant was executed at the Bolen residence on Hunsicker Street in McGuffey. Michael Bolen’s remains were discovered in a portion of the crawl space that had limited access.
It was learned that a section of floor had been cut out by Dustin Bolen so Michael Bolen’s body could be hidden. After burying the remains, Dustin Bolen replaced the flooring to hide his crime, authorities said.
