Johnson County couple charged with child murder, abuse
In Johnson County, Kansas, two people are now charged in the murder of a child and abuse of a another. Both behind bars on a $1 million.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- In Johnson County, Kansas, two people are now charged in the murder of a child and abuse of a another. Both behind bars on a $1 million.
"In my office it takes a particular note that we have a special duty to those who can't protect themselves that's the children and our senior citizens,” Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said.
This comes nearly a year after police and first responders went to the apartment and saw what had happened.
The grim discovery of child abuse happened in Overland Park. This news no doubt shaking that Kansas suburb.
"We take these cases very seriously,” Howe said.
Alexis Williams and Kevin Martenia are both charged with three separate felony counts. One of which is felony first-degree murder for their part in the death of a child.
"In this case we are alleging that not only child abuse that resulted in death of one of the children but there's a second child that also alleged that abuse accrued and so these are very serious cases," Howe said.
It was nearly a year ago, May of 2023, just after 11 a.m. when first responders were sent to an Overland Park apartment complex.
The scene of this heinous crime and now these two will have to face the law for their actions.
But why did it take so long you might ask; Howe says this isn't longer than average in this sort of case, there is a thorough process that they must go through before bringing charges.
"It requires us to work with the medical examiner office and other medical professionals to determine the cause of death so typically in these types of cases a vetting process that determines through the medical history of the patient is their other pre-existing conditions that could have contributed to the cause of death," he said.
We know both suspects were brought into custody within the last week.
They are due back in court next Thursday. If they are convicted of these crimes, they face life in prison without the option of parole until after 25 years.