Police think they have found the remains of Jonathan Chase DeBlase. The 3-year-old was last seen alive in March, but the authorities did not know that he and his sister Natalie were missing until last month. The search for the 4-year-old continues.
Now, the children’s father, John Joseph DeBlase, has been charged with two counts of murder. The authorities believe that the children were killed by their dad and stepmom. The Jonathan’s skeletal remains were discovered after his dad gave police information about where the body might be. DeBlase claimed that he couldn’t remember the exact location because he had been on sleeping pills.
Investigators believe that after Jonathan’s murder, DeBlase, Natalie, and Heather Keaton lived together until Natalie’s disappearance. The two adults, who were never married, are now blaming each other for the kids’ murders. Keaton, who is charged with two counts of neglect of a child and willful abuse, claims that DeBlase poisoned the kids. Meantime, DeBlase’s parents are accusing Keaton of killing the children during a fit of anger.
The search for the two children began after Keaton told police that she needed protection from DeBlase. She claimed that she was being held against her will and she signed a domestic violence petition. She has said that DeBlase would not let her check on the kids when they were non-responsive and that “choices were made…” DeBlase and Keaton have a baby together.
DeBlase has also been charged with two counts of abuse of a corpse and two counts of aggravated child abuse.
Father being charged in deaths of Alabama children, CNN.com, December 8, 2010
Dad of missing Ala. kids charged with murder, AJC/AP, December 8, 2010
Related Web Resource:
Murder, Justia
Massachusetts Murder
It is important that you are represented by an experienced Boston homicide law firm that knows how to defend you against the criminal charges. High profile cases that generate a lot of media attention can be especially tough for a defendant, and you want to make sure that you have someone looking out for your best interests and protecting your rights. There may be charges against you that should be thrown out or reduced. You want to work with a legal team that can help you secure the best outcome possible for your criminal case.