Four people are now behind bars after a 2-year-old was found unresponsive at a Cordova home earlier this month and later died at a hospital. The case widened this week when federal marshals tracked down another suspect in Middle Tennessee, bringing the number of people charged in the child’s death to four.
Man Arrested by U.S. Marshals
Robert L. Newton was taken into custody Monday by the U.S. Marshals at a business on Graham Road in Ashland City and booked into the Cheatham County Jail, according to WSMV. A warrant for Newton’s arrest had been issued in Shelby County the week before. He is facing charges that include first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and child abuse.
Three Others Arrested and How the Case Unfolded
Shelby County records show that three other people - Stephanie Watkins, Beau Watkins, and China Bryant - were arrested on Feb. 17. They are charged with criminally negligent homicide and aggravated child neglect, and Bryant faces an additional count of child abuse or neglect.
Deputies say they were first called to a Cordova residence earlier this month, where they found the toddler unresponsive. Life-saving measures were started at the scene until Shelby County Fire arrived, and the child was rushed to the hospital, where the child later died. As the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office has released booking photos of the suspects, according to Action News 5.
Legal Implications
The arrests span a range of serious charges, from criminally negligent homicide and aggravated child neglect to first-degree murder. Under Tennessee law, first-degree murder is defined in Tenn. Code § 39-13-202 carries the state’s most severe sentences, per Justia. Criminally negligent homicide is set out in Tenn. Code § 39-13-212 and is typically prosecuted as a Class E felony with corresponding prison terms, according to FindLaw.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office will determine whether to seek formal indictments as investigators turn over evidence for review. All four suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
