In a recent turn of events, an ostensibly routine welfare check has escalated into a full-blown investigation by the Burleson Police Department, with two arrests linked to disturbing charges. The department, maintaining a channel of communication with the public via social media, has confirmed the arrests of a couple following a welfare check that unearthed a suspected crime scene at their residence.
According to a Facebook post by the Burleson Police Department, last Tuesday, officers were dispatched to 433 White Oak Lane to check on 26-year-old Jonathan Kinman, who had special needs. The residence houses him, his mother, December Marie Mitchell, and his stepfather, Jonathan James Mitchell. Information received during the check prompted a grimmer investigation, alluding to Kinman's possible demise and burial on the property.
The subsequent actions led to the arrest of both parents on charges of Tampering/Fabricating Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair a Human Corpse. They were taken to the Johnson County Jail, and each is currently held on a $250,000 bond. The Burleson Police Department has clarified, "At no point during the investigation did BPD believe there was any threat to the community," explaining the delay in releasing details to the public.
The following day, with support from the Texas Rangers, a shallow grave was found in the house's backyard. Remains believed to be those of Kinman were excavated and sent for an autopsy to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office, which was performed last Thursday. The police department has stated that the results of the autopsy, which should shine light on the cause of death, are pending and have not yet been determined.
