FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) A mother and stepfather now face upgraded charges in the 2019 death of a 7-year-old boy.
Fayetteville Police Department announced Thursday that Saint Michael Edwards, 25, is now charged with first-degree murder; Evie Bates, 25, is now charged with accessory after the fact of first-degree murder.
The pair are accused in the death of 7-year-old Ethan Bates, who was found dead inside his Fayetteville home Oct. 2, 2019. They were previously jailed on child abuse charges.
Ethan s stepfather is being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center without bond. Ethan s mother is being detained on bonds totaling over $1 million.
Ethan missed three days of school, and a teacher reported seeing bruises on his face prior to his death.