Jury selection is set to begin today for Krista and Tyler Schindley, the Spalding County couple accused of severely neglecting and starving their 10-year-old son. As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, the boy — who was found by a neighbor and weighed only 36 pounds — pleaded with officers not to take him back home when they arrived.
Krista Schindley faces 12 charges, while Tyler Schindley faces nine, which include criminal attempt to commit a felony—with murder listed as the attempted felony—alongside charges of child cruelty and aggravated battery. Four other children were found at the residence and did not appear to show signs of maltreatment; they are now under the custody of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. The indictment comes after the child was hospitalized for malnutrition and a low heart rate, a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta detailed.
Further details on the case emerged as the couple is also due for a bond hearing on Tuesday, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Arrested on May 12, the Schindleys' son had been reported wandering the streets before being taken into custody by the Griffin Police Department where the couple remains ahead of the bond hearing. The alleged abuses are said to have occurred between May 2020 and the time of their arrests, though the exact duration remains unverified.
The other children in the Schindley home have since been placed under the care of the state's Division of Family and Children Services, and privacy laws prevent the department from providing specific details to the public. One neighbor, Michael Seigler shared with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "My wife, it just tears her up," emphasizing their obliviousness to the boy's age and condition. Tyler Schindley, who, along with Krista, owned two franchises of True Rest Float Spa, was active in promoting the business on Facebook, a stark contrast to his private family life.
The community's reaction to this case reflects a grim reminder of a similar incident in the metro Atlanta area, where Kylie Mickens, a 5-year-old girl suffering from 1p36 deletion syndrome, passed away due to malnourishment. Her parents faced charges of second-degree murder and child cruelty, as noted by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Schindleys' ongoing investigation continues as the community grapples with the stark realities of such hidden domestic tragedies.
