ETX parents in custody in connection to death of 2-year-old son

PANOLA COUNTY, TX (KSLA) - The Beckville, Texas, couple wanted in connection with the death of their 2-year-old son turned themselves in Tuesday morning, officials say.

Braylyn David Sheppard, 24, and Brianna Mikayla Jones, 21, surrendered about 10:30 a.m. at the Panola County, Texas, criminal district attorney's office, the Panola County Sheriff's Office reports.

The two are being held in the Panola County Detention Center pending arraignment on a charge of injury to a child.

Their bonds were set at $150,000 each "and a conditional bond regarding other children in the family," the Sheriff's Office reports.

If they can make bond, they will be released from jail and told when to appear in court.

If not, they will appear before a judge so an attorney can be appointed if they cannot afford one.

"I would like to praise all of the investigators for their hard work in this case, as well as the citizens who gave helpful information," Panola County Sheriff Kevin Lake said.

Authorities followed a number of leads in search of the pair, leading investigators to numerous locations around East Texas.

"Despite false information, some reported and other obstacles that hindered a faster apprehension of the suspects, the two are now in custody, allowing our attention to focus on the completion of the case," the sheriff added.

Warrants were issued March 19 for the pair in connection with the death of Kai'Syn Ke'Mar Sheppard.

On the run, the couple skipped town without even attending their son's funeral.

The parents told police and medical workers that their toddler struck his head on concrete when he fell off a porch March 11.

The child vomited blood at least twice the next day and complained of stomach pains, the couple told investigators.

Preliminary information from the hospitals and an autopsy conducted at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science "indicate that the number and severity of the injuries, both internal and external, were not consistent with a fall from a porch," the Sheriff's Office reports.

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