The parents of an eight-year-old Central Illinois boy have been arrested after their son died, weighing just 30 pounds. Authorities from Peoria, Illinois, announced that Brandon Walker, 40, and Stephanie Jones, 35, have both been charged with first-degree murder for the death of their son, Navin Jones.
Their bond has been set at $1 million each, and they could both face life in prison. Peoria Police found 8-year-old Navin unresponsive and not breathing inside their home on Tuesday, March 29. Navin was later pronounced dead at a hospital, with the Peoria County Coroner saying that he died due to physical abuse and neglect in a statement issued on March 30.
According to ABC affiliate WHOI, the coroner said that this is one of the worst neglect cases he has ever seen. The doctor who conducted the child's autopsy reported that he was exceedingly malnourished with a weight of just 30 pounds. Officers said the young boy was extremely malnourished to the point where they could see his bones.
Bruises found all over Navin's body
Navin also had bruises all over his body when police found him. Apart from the bruises, he also had scrapes, abrasions, and scars on his body. Both of Navin's wrists also appeared to suffer from ligature injuries.
According to the Independent, Navin was put in state care back in December 2013 after being born with narcotics in his system. Following interviews with Navin's parents, they were arrested by police on charges of endangering the life or health of a child. The probable cause affidavit says that Jones found her son Navin in a bathtub, brought the child downstairs, and put him in a shower to "warm him."
While searching the property, police officers found a rope on the doors to Navin's bedroom and closet. The police said that the child's mother, Stephanie, told them that the rope was to keep Navin out of the closet, but officers said the closet smelled of feces.
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DCFS involved with Navin Jones' family until his death
According to the affidavit, the last time anyone saw the kid healthy was when Navin's grandmother gave him to his parents in early November of last year. Walker and Jones both claimed they did not have legal guardianship of Navin.
The couple also claimed that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was at fault for the incident, saying the department did not give them the appropriate paperwork or tell them how to handle the health of Navin.
According to a report by WCBU, records show that the DCFS was involved with the family until the day of Navin's death. In April 2017, Navin's paternal grandmother was able to obtain legal custody of the eight-year-old boy and his 12-year-old sibling. Both children, however, have been living with their parents recently. DCFS was helping both of them get temporary guardianship back in February and March.
