April 2022 | Page 14 of 15 | My Crime Library

Byron Ellison Gets Life For Killing 2 Month Old Baby

Byron Ellison has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his 2 month old son. According to court documents ambulance attendants arrived at the Mississippi home to find a two month old boy unresponsive. The little boy was rushed to hospital but do to his severe injuries he would be flown out of state to a trauma center in New Orleans. Unfortunately the injuries were horrific and the 2 month old would pass away. The coroner would remark that the 2 month old child died from severe blunt force trauma to the back of his head. The child’s father Byron Ellison would be arrested and charged with murder. Byron Ellison would be convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison

Byron Ellison More News

A Gulfport man charged with capital murder for the 2018 death of his baby boy will spend the rest of his life in prison. Byron Ellison, 32, stood trial this week in Harrison County.

The investigation began on October 15, 2018, when first responders arrived at a home on Calcutta Drive in Gulfport. They found an unresponsive 2-month-old baby and immediately took him to Garden Park Hospital. Because of the child’s significant injuries, he was then sent to Oschner Medical Center in New Orleans.

Three days later the baby died from what doctors described as a devastating, catastrophic neurological injury. An autopsy found the injury was a result of blunt force trauma to the back of the head, and the death was ruled a homicide.

Investigators from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office first interviewed the parents at Garden Park Hospital.

“The baby’s mother stated that the baby woke up at approximately 3:30 a.m. when the baby was fed and went back to sleep. The baby woke up again at approximately 6:30 a.m., when she changed the baby. She stated that she left the baby in the care of his father and went to the kitchen to make the baby a bottle.

She stated that a couple of minutes later, Byron Ellison came to the kitchen with the baby, who was limp. They called 911 and she performed CPR on the baby until first responders arrived,” stated Assistant District Attorney Patti Simpson, who prosecuted the case with Billy Stage.

When Crime Scene Technicians went to the home they found evidence that backed up the mother’s story about changing the baby and preparing a bottle in the kitchen.

The father’s statement to investigators recounted the same sequence of events, but he gave different explanations for the baby’s injuries. He said he was bouncing the baby on his knee, then that the baby hit his collarbone, and then that the baby fell off of the bed. The father said he was sleep-deprived and ultimately that he was afraid to tell the mother what he did.

“The prosecution of this case could not have happened without the tireless work of the Investigators and Crime Scene Technicians of the Harrison County’s Sheriff Department. That, coupled with the medical professionals who testified, helped to show the jury what happened and who was responsible. I am proud of how they all worked together. In the end, this case was tragic and involved the loss of life of a two-month old child. We pray that that this conviction assists in healing process,” stated District Attorney W. Crosby Parker.

https://www.wlbt.com/2022/04/01/gulfport-man-gets-life-prison-killing-2-month-old-son/

Byron Ellison Other News

When 2-month-old Colton Wyatt Ellison arrived at a New Orleans hospital in 2018, the pediatric neurosurgeon who evaluated him said the baby had already been placed on life support, had IV fluids and medication and had no signs of brain activity. In an evaluation of the child at Ochsner’s Children’s Hospital, Dr. Cuong Bui said, baby “Colt” had multiple brain bleeds or hemorrhaging in various areas in his brain and an abrasion on the back of his head. “In this particular case,” Bui said, “all the information we had pointed to an injury that could not have happened accidentally like (from) a fall or falling out of bed or playing with the baby too hard or dropping the baby.”

The doctor also documented early signs of bruising around the baby’s eyes and noted the soft spot on the baby’s head had hardened due to a lack of oxygen and “severe, widespread and catastrophic” injuries to the brain. “The (baby’s) head must have hit something with a quite a bit of force,” he said. “There were clear injuries around the eyes based on the bleeding and bruising around them.”

Because of the injuries coupled with extensive swelling in Colton’s brain, Bui said, “unfortunately, there was no surgical intervention I could do.” Bui is among others who testified on Wednesday in the capital murder trial of Byron Ellison, the baby’s father. The jury instructions issued Friday afternoon gave the jury the option to consider other charges during deliberations to include manslaughter.

Assistant district attorneys Patricia “Patti” Simpson and Billy Stage rested the state’s case Wednesday afternoon after forensic pathologist Dr. Mark LeVaughn testified, confirming the baby died of blunt impact injuries to the head. LeVaughn performed the Oct. 22, 2018, autopsy on Colton and said it showed the baby had hemorrhages in the eyes, multiple hemorrhages in the brain, and an abrasion to the back of the head from a blunt impact injury. He ruled the manner of death a homicide, though defense attorney Jim Davis questioned whether the baby’s medical issues at birth with his esophagus could have restricted the oxygen to the baby’s brain, ultimately leading to the child’s death. The baby spent four-to-six weeks in the hospital after his birth. The baby had been home from the hospital for about three weeks at the time he suffered the fatal injuries. LeVaughn said there was no sign of any issues with the baby’s esophagus at the time of the autopsy to suggest that the condition contributed to the child’s death.

Byron Ellison, and his now ex-girlfriend and mother of the child, Jessica Smith, had moved in with Ellison’s parents at their then home on Calcutta Drive, south of Robinson Road in Gulfport, after the baby got out of the hospital following surgery and treatment for esophageal problems. Harrison County sheriff’s deputies initially arrested Ellison on Oct. 15, 2018, on a felony child abuse charge after paramedics found the baby unresponsive at the couple’s home. Investigators upgraded the charge to second-degree murder after the baby was taken off of life support and died. The baby was an organ donor, according to the testimony. If convicted of capital murder, Ellison could face a sentence of life in prison or death.

In defense testimony, jurors listened as an assistant from the defense attorney’s office and prosecutor Simpson read a transcript from Ellison’s sister, Kimberly Ellison. Kimberly Ellison could not be in court to testify because she is currently serving time in a jail out of state for probation violations related to charges of felony fleeing, grand larceny and a drug paraphernalia charge. In the testimony, Kimberly Ellison said she never heard her brother and the mother of the child arguing, and both she and Ellisons’ parents said the couple seemed to get along well. In addition, Ellison’s family said, the couple had set up a schedule so Jessica Smith could take care of the baby during the day, and Ellison could take care of him at night.

Kimberly Ellison said she didn’t see either parent mistreat the child but did have concerns a few days before the alleged attack on the baby when she saw the child’s mother had just taken a shower with the baby. “I said that was very alarming, that I was unaware she did not have a baby bath,” Kimberly Ellison said.

In other testimony, Byron Ellison’s parents confirmed the couple seemed to get along and had set up a schedule to ensure someone was watching baby “Colt” at all times. Byron Ellison’s parents said they moved out of the Gulfport home they had been living in after Colton’s death because it was too hard to stay there.

After Byron Ellison’s father testified, he wheeled himself out of the courtroom without making eye contact with his son. His father is in wheelchair because he suffers from multiple sclerosis.

Earlier in the murder trial, investigators testified that Byron Ellison told three different stories about what could have led to the baby’s fatal injuries. Initially, Byron Ellison said he was bouncing the baby on his knee and may have hurt him then. In another account, Byron Ellison said the baby’s head may have been hurt when his father pulled him to his chest and the baby’s head hit his collarbone. In a third scenario, Bryon Ellison suggested the baby may have fallen off a bed.

But early on in the investigation, Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson told the Sun Herald in 2018 that Byron Ellison had admitted abusing the child because he was tired and mad when the baby wouldn’t stop crying. Jessica Smith also told jurors that Ellison often got mad and called the baby “a little shit” when he wouldn’t stop crying. Simpson recalled the events leading up to finding her baby limp and unresponsive the day of the alleged attack in earlier testimony. Defense testimony resumes Thursday in Harrison County Circuit Court before Judge Christoper Schmidt.

https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/crime/article259955895.html

Ronnie Hyde Guilty In Fred Laster Murder

Ronnie Hyde has been found guilty in the 1994 murder of Fred Laster in Florida. According to court documents Ronnie Hyde who was employed as a youth pastor would spend a ton of time with the Laster family. When Fred Laster was murdered his body was cut up and disposed in a number of places and a number of limbs were never found. The year after Fred Laster was murdered Ronnie Hyde would claim the teen as a dependent. Ronnie Hyde who denied killing Fred Laster has also been charged with multiple counts of child pornography. Ronnie Hyde would be arrested for the murder in 2017, Hyde would be found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

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After less than three hours of deliberations, the jury returned with a guilty verdict Friday against a former youth pastor accused of killing and dismembering a 16-year-old boy in 1994.

In an unusual move, Ronnie Hyde told Judge Tatiana Salvador he was ready to be sentenced immediately as Fred Laster’s five siblings watched from the front row. They had left a seat open for their slain brother.

After a tear-filled statement from Laster’s brother, Salvador handed down the mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

After surprising many in court Thursday when he opted to take the stand in his own defense, Hyde faced a contentious cross-examination Friday morning from prosecutor Alan Mizrahi, who grilled Hyde about his account of the last time he saw Laster.

Laster’s dismembered remains were found behind a dumpster at a BP gas station in Columbia County with Hyde’s DNA “all over that dumpster,” according to Mizrahi.

Prosecutors contended that Ronnie Hyde and Laster had been together the day before the remains were found. Hyde denied that, saying the last time he saw the teen was on May 30, 1994, when he jumped out of his car because he did not want to go back to his grandmother’s house.

Prosecutor: You knew that he did not want to go home. Yet your testimony is he got into your car voluntarily.

Hyde: Yes.

Prosecutor: To go home? You told him you were taking him home.

Hyde: He knew where he was going.

Prosecutor: So he jumps out in the middle of nowhere, correct?

Hyde: It was a heavily wooded area.

Prosecutor: After dark?

Hyde: Yes, sir, after dark in June.

Later, Mizrahi asked Hyde why he hadn’t called 911 after the teen jumped out of his vehicle.

Hyde: Because it wasn’t an emergency?

Prosecutor: You think a 16-year-old running toward woods by himself isn’t an emergency?

Hyde: No, sir, I don’t.

During the cross-examination, Salvador had to stop Mizrahi several times and admonished both men for repeatedly talking over each other. She told them to behave better in the courtroom.

Mizrahi also questioned Hyde about a garage sale Hyde said he was having around the time Laster disappeared.

Hyde: Eventually I gave in to him because he refused to return to his grandmother’s house, get a good night’s sleep and work on the garage sale and that would make him feel better.

Prosecutor: The garage sale is not on your calendar.

Hyde: But that doesn’t mean I didn’t have one.

Hyde maintained his innocence throughout, saying: “Mr. Mizrahi, I never hurt that boy. I’ve never hurt him. I would never hurt him.”

Hyde’s cousin took the stand Thursday, reading from journal entries where Hyde asked forgiveness from Laster.

When asked why he’d want forgiveness from Laster, Hyde said Thursday…

Hyde: Maybe I didn’t try to do enough to figure out why he went to Heron… and what was so… what was so urgent about him leaving the area.

Defense attorney: Do you know anything more than what you’ve told us about Fred Laster’s death?

Hyde: No I don’t.

Defense attorney: Would you have ever harmed that child?

Hyde: Oh no… never. I couldn’t.”

Ronnie Hyde said after Laster jumped from his car in 1994 that he went home and saw a family member, Travis — Laster’s brother — the following morning, and he said he told Travis what had happened.

It also came out in court Thursday that Hyde had declared Laster as a dependent foster child on his taxes — in the years after Laster disappeared.

Mizrahi grilled Hyde on that point on the stand Friday, saying he lied to the federal government, which Ronnie Hyde denied.

During closing arguments, one of Hyde’s defense attorneys said there was no definitive evidence to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Hyde is responsible for Laster’s murder. She talked about how Laster was a lost, vulnerable boy — and given his family situation — it was reasonable to believe Hyde’s story that he jumped out of his car and ran away. She said the trial has been “much to do about nothing.”

“I want to be clear, the death of Fred Laster has been terrible, but the evidence against Ronnie Hyde is just not there. The evidence is that Ronnie Hyde did nothing wrong. Nothing,” she said to the jury. “The state has made a fuss about stickers and knives. They are all things I could get in my grandmother’s house right now, and there is much to do about nothing and that is because Ron Hyde is innocent.

The jury disagreed, returning a few hours later with a verdict of guilty.

Earlier in the week, prosecutors laid out key evidence through grim testimony that they said pointed to the former youth pastor and counselor’s guilt.

Jurors were shown footage of the crime scene and a look at physical evidence, including knives, a black plastic bag, a bloody bed cushion, a red flannel shirt, orange gloves with Laster’s DNA and sticks typically used in the bottom of a bathtub. Prosecutors say DNA from the red shirt was matched to Hyde.

When questioned about some of those items found at the crime scene, including the red flannel shirt with his DNA, Hyde testified his father had similar shirts and he may have given it to Laster at some point.

He also talked about egg crate mattresses — like the blood-soaked one found at the crime scene. Hyde said he gave Laster one to use for camping.

During his closing argument, Mizrahi said, “DNA has no bias. It has no agenda,” and that Hyde is “all over that dumpster.”

Also among the state’s gruesome evidence photos were pictures of Laster’s upper body that was found 27 years and 10 months ago behind the dumpster at a BP gas station in Lake City. Brian Retz was a detective for Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at the time.

“The head had been cut off, the hands had been cut off, both legs had been cut off, so it was just the torso of the body,” said Retz.

Mizrahi said it’s hard to hear those details.

“The shock and disturbing concept that a human being can take a bread knife and saw through someone’s neck, wrist, femurs — it is hard to fathom and it makes us angry. It makes us disgusted, and it makes it hard to know that we’re a part of the human race,” Mizrahi said during his closing argument Friday.

He said the fact that Laster was dismembered pointed to him being killed by someone he knew.

“You have to protect the victim’s identity because they’re connected to you. A random serial killer isn’t going to care. If Fred Laster’s found behind a dumpster, guess who they’re going to talk to? Him!” Mizrahi said as he pointed at Hyde.

Ronnie Hyde has also been charged with dozens of counts of child pornography. Those proceedings are being kept separate from the murder case.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2022/04/01/ronnie-hyde-charged-in-1994-murder-of-teen-to-face-cross-examination-today/

Sharena Nancy Guilty In Nalani Johnson Murder

Sharena Nancy has pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and murder of two year old Nalani Johnson. According to court documents Sharena Nancy had been dating Nalani Johnson father and when he attempted to break up with her she would grab the two year old and take off. Sharena Nancy would then murder Nalani Johnson before abandoning the body of the child. Sharena Nancy would be arrested and charged with murder. As part of a plea deal Sharena Nancy plead guilty to third degree murder and kidnapping and would be sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison

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Sharena Nancy, the woman accused of kidnapping and murdering 2-year-old Nalani Johnson, will spend at least 15 years in prison.

Nancy pleaded guilty to third degree murder and kidnapping in court Friday. She was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison

Police said Nancy, who was beginning a romantic relationship with Johnson’s father, abducted her from Penn Hills in 2019. After an Amber Alert, she was found dead in her car seat days later in an Indiana County park.

Investigators said Johnson, her father and another friend were with Nancy, who took off in the car the toddler was in after an argument about money.

The count of criminal homicide against Sharena Nancy was amended to third degree murder.

Sharena Nancy Other News

The Penn Hills woman charged with abducting and killing a toddler in 2019 agreed to a plea deal Friday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.

Sharena Nancy, 27, pleaded guilty on Friday to third-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of Nalani Johnson, who was just shy of 2 years old when she died.

Judge Bruce Beemer accepted the plea deal and the accompanying sentence for Nancy of 15 to 30 years in prison.

Nancy kidnapped Nalani on Aug. 31, 2019, from the Penn Hills home of the girl’s father, Paul D. Johnson.

Police said Ms. Nancy and Mr. Johnson and an on-and-off relationship, and Nancy took Nalani following an argument.

A large-scale search for Nalani took place across southwestern Pennsylvania in the days following her disappearance.

She was found dead about three days later in Pine Ridge Park in Indiana County. The Indiana County coroner’s office ruled Nalani’s death a homicide but said her body showed no signs of trauma.

Police said Nancy told investigators that Nalani’s father sold the girl to her for $10,000, though no evidence of such a transaction was found.

The murder led a state lawmaker to seek changes to how Amber Alerts are issued in Pennsylvania in the weeks following Nalani’s death.

As part of the plea deal, prosecutors withdrew three charges: interference with the custody of a child, concealment of children, and abuse of a corpse.

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Penn Hills, proposed the so-called “Nalani Johnson Rule” that would require the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System to be activated immediately when a parent or family member reports an abduction, thereby hastening the process for police to send out alerts. The bill was introduced but never made it to the House floor for a vote.

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2022/04/01/woman-pleads-guilty-child-abduction-death-penn-hills-nalani-homicide-sharena-nancy-pine-ridge-park/stories/202204010111

Levi Westhead Teen Killer Sentenced To Life

Levi Westhead is a teen killer who was just convicted in stabbing a father to death after attempting to gain access to the victim’s home. According to court documents Levi Westhead had an on and off again relationship with the victim’s daughter and attempted to force his way into the home however Mark Webster blocked his way. Levi Westhead would stab Mark Webster multiple times and the man would die the next day in hospital. Levi Westhead would be arrested and later convicted of murder. This teen killer would be sentenced to life in prison however is eligible for parole after 17 years

Levi Westhead More News

A teenager has been jailed for life for murdering ‘heroic’ Blackpool dad Mark Webster.

Levi Westhead, 18, stabbed Mr Webster to death as he tried to gain access to the family home in Carsluith Avenue on July 23 2021. Westhead, of Flakefleet Avenue, Fleetwood, had been in an on-off relationship with Mr Webster’s 16-year-old daughter and went to the house for ‘a final showdown’ after she broke up with him.

As Mr Webster tried to keep him away, Levi Westhead produced a knife and stabbed him 12 times. Mr Webster lay bleeding on the kitchen floor before being taken to hospital where he died later that day.

Handing down a minimum term of 17 years to the teenager, Judge Medland QC said: “Your conduct at the Webster’s house was as if you were living out the consequence-free conduct which you would have seen playing computer games over many isolated hours in your room at home. I am sure you took the knife there deliberately and intending on brandishing it as a prop in some dramatic outburst, some final desperate show-down with your ex to prove your devotion to her and reclaim her in your life”.

Michelle Webster gave a moving account of how her family had been devastated by the tragic loss of her husband Mark on July 23.

She said: “Web was definitely an extra special human being, my rock and absolute world. Words cannot describe how heartbroken I am and by God, do I miss him. I loved him so, so much. Web was the most placid, funny, loving gentleman. He had many friends and was loved by everyone.

“Nobody should have to witness what I have, let alone his two children who he had doted on since the day they were born. Web was the true meaning of a dad, he loved them so much. He did everything with the kids and has been hands on in every way since the day they were born.”

https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/teenager-levi-westhead-sentenced-life-23567471

Levi Westhead Other News

Levi Westhead, 18, stabbed Mark Webster 12 times in the chest and abdomen after showing up at the dad-of-two’s home on Carsluith Avenue, Blackpool, and demanding to see his 16-year-old daughter.

The obsessed teenager had been in a rocky relationship with the girl for about 18 months, during which time he had bombarded her with abusive text messages and told her to kill herself.

On the evening of July 23 2021, he armed himself with a knife and tried to force his way into her house with the intention of threatening her. But Mr Webster, 50, refused to let him in.

Levi Westhead made his way around to the back of the house, where he scuffled with Mr Webster on the patio and stabbed him multiple times.

He claimed he acted in self defence – but a jury saw through his lies and found h guilty on January 28.

At his sentencing at Preston Crown Court today, Mr Webster, known as Web, was praised as ‘a true man and a true hero’, who was trying to protect his daughter from an ‘evil, controlling, harassing’ boy

Levi Westhead, dressed in a red polo shirt, sighed and rolled his eyes as victim statements from Mr Webster’s heartbroken wife Michelle, his daughter, and his 12-year-old son were read.

Mrs Webster said: “I knew Web when I was 15, and we started going out when we’re were 16 – childhood sweethearts. He was my first and only love. Words cannot begun to describe how heartbroken and devastated I am. We did everything together. We doted on each other. He was the love of my life. We had been together 31 years. He was the most placid, funny, loving gentleman.

“That night my Web was taken away was a night I will never forget and one I will relive on a daily basis. Web tried to protect his family and that’s what he did, and ultimately paid with his life.

“Levi has taken away our world in such a senseless way. Our hopes and dreams have been completely destroyed and despite my best efforts I cannot imagine any future without (Mark) in our lives. This has completely destroyed me, my family, and all our lives.

“Web was the rock of the family, the heart and soul, and he paid the ultimate price to protect his family. A true man and a true hero.”

His daughter described Levi Westhead as ‘an evil, controlling, harassing boy’, who had abused her during their 18 months together.

She said: “I’m not comfortable going out any more. Any little noise I hear, I’m frightened. If I see someone who looks like (Levi Westhead), I freeze.

“I have terrible nightmares of Levi killing me and killing my dad, and its very upsetting. My mum struggles to even go out not. We stay in most of the time. I don’t even like being there any more. I don’t feel safe.”

Mr Webster’s son said: “I really miss my dad. I’m really upset and angry and I have suicidal thoughts.

“My dad didn’t deserve this. He’s a hero and he will not see me grow up and will not be here for memories to come. I miss just spending time with him. I love my dad.”

In mitigation, Judge Simon Medland heard that Levi Westhead was ‘immature’ for his age, and did not intend to kill Mr Webster when he went to the family’s home that day.

Andrew Thomas, defending, said: “It’s clear to see that cases like this are a tragedy, but this one truly is a tragedy for all concerned and families on both sides.

“He’s not asking for forgiveness, but he’s genuinely sorry for what he has done. He will be sorry for the rest of his life.

“Mark Webster was blameless. More than that, Mark Webster was a brave man who acted in order to protect his family from the attack that he perceived was about to take place.

“Mark was a good man and a good husband and a very loving father. We know that (his family) are heartbroken and that nothing that I can say, or anyone can do, can repair the damage of Westhead’s offence.”

Handing down a life sentence with a minimum of 17 years, Judge Medland said: “This was an appallingly sad event which should never have happened. Mark Webster’s murder has robbed his immediate family of their father figure, and principal breadwinner.

“He was a much-loved and very caring man for whom nothing seemed too much trouble. He was a hard-working and sensible man, ‘an extra special human being’ ‘a placid gentleman’ ‘loved by so many people’ ‘gentle’, ‘lovable’, ‘a true man’ and a ‘true hero’ who had established for his family a decent living and a decent way of life; he died protecting them.

“The loss suffered by Michelle Webster and her family is irreparable. The reality is that no sentence any court could ever impose could equal the value of Mark Webster’s life. To respectfully adopt Michelle Webster’s own phrase: ‘no sentence could ever be enough’. Therefore I do not endeavour oday to attempt that impossible feat; rather, I endeavour to impose a sentence which is proper in this particular case on these particular facts.”

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/crime/evil-controlling-harassing-fleetwood-teenager-who-stabbed-hero-dad-to-death-sentenced-to-life-3636547

Brandon Walker And Stephanie Jones Charged In Childs Murder

Brandon Walker and Stephanie Jones have been charged with murder after their eight year old son died weighing just 30 pounds. The eight year old boy, Navin Jones, was found unresponsive and not breathing when he was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately the little boy was unable to be revived.

When police searched the family home in Illinois they would describe Navin Jones room as smelling like feces and both the door and closet door were rigged with ropes so they could not be opened. Apparently Navin Jones was living with his Grandmother however would go to live with his parents in November 2021 and the abuse would start shortly after. Brandon Walker and Stephanie Jones would be charged with murder and child abuse. Both Brandon Walker and Stephanie Jones have long criminal records

Brandon Walker And Stephanie Jones More News

Bond has been set at $1 million each for the Peoria parents accused of murdering their 8-year-old son.

Stephanie Jones, 35, and Brandon Walker, 40, appeared in court Thursday as grim details emerged on the death of their son, Navin Jones. The pair are being charged with first-degree murder and face up to a natural life sentence.

They were arrested Wednesday after Peoria County Coroner revealed Navin died of physical abuse due to neglect.

Prosecutors revealed police were initially dispatched to the Jones home on reports of an unresponsive child. Before they arrived, Stephanie found him unresponsive and put him in the shower to warm him up.

As first responders arrived at the home, they found Stephanie performing life-saving measures as she was instructed to do so over the phone. They removed Navin from the bathroom as soon as they arrived.

Navin’s body was severely emaciated and showed clear signs of abuse, such as sunken eye sockets, visible bones, and ligature marks. He was exceedingly malnourished, and at the time of his death, Navin weighed just 30 pounds, according to prosecutors.

Officers also found ropes attached to both the boy’s closet and bedroom door. They said his room also reeked of urine and feces.

When asked why ropes were attached to the doors, Stephanie and Walker said they were there to keep Navin from getting out and breaking things in the house. They specified the ropes on the closet door were to keep the boy from getting into the closet.

Navin’s grandmother was the previous legal guardian, according to court records. She had returned Navin back to his parents at the end of summer 2021, and Navin was living with his parents again by fall 2021.

Prosecutors also asked why Stephanie and Walker did not take Navin to an emergency room when it was clear he was malnourished. The pair responded, saying they did not have legal guardianship status, and they could not seek medical attention for Navin.

Brandon Walker specifically blamed DCFS, saying every time he and Stephanie would try to take Navin to the emergency room, the organization would get involved. He also blamed the organization for not giving them papers to become Navin’s legal guardians.

Thursday, a spokesperson for DCFS confirmed there had been prior contact with Navin Jones’ family. What the extent of those visits were is not known at this time.

The last time anyone observed Navin in a healthy manner was between late October and early November 2021, prosecutors alleged.

Navin’s parents claimed after leaving the custody of his grandmother, Navin had behavioral issues. They said he had a habit of drinking urine and throwing feces.

Stephanie and Walker are due back in court for an arraignment hearing on April 28 at 1:30 p.m

https://www.mystateline.com/news/grim-details-emerge-in-death-of-illinois-8-year-old-parents-accused-of-murder/