McGuffey Man Gets 19 Years to Life for Father’s Murder as Judge Cites ‘No Genuine Remorse’ and Rejects Sentencing Recommendation

A McGuffey man was sentenced this morning in Hardin County Common Pleas Court on charges connected to the murder of his father.

42-year-old Dustin Bolen was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison on charges of murder, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse.

On March 31, 2024, after an argument with his father, 66-year-old Michael Bolen, the younger Bolen killed his dad then hid the body, which was found in December of that year.

In Court Wednesday, Bolen said a bad relationship with his father got progressively worse. He said Michael Bolen always treated everyone else better than he did those close to him. He added that his dad loved to see him struggle, but he said on that night, he wishes he would have just walked away, and he apologized to his family.

His sister spoke on behalf of the family saying that they loved their dad and love Dusty. She said her dad wanted his son to get help for substance abuse, but the system let him down.

The State and defense attorney’s joint sentencing recommendation was that sentences on two of the counts run concurrent with the murder charge for a total of 15 years to life, but calling it one of most heinous crimes there is and the fact that he saw no genuine remorse for the act of killing his dad, Judge Christopher rejected the recommendation and imposed the maximum sentence he could under the law in order to protect the public.

The judge said that no matter the relationship, he can’t imagine ever strangling his dad and watch as his life slips away.

Bolen was classified a Violent Offender and must follow the requirements of that classification after his prison time is completed.