PEORIA, Ill. – The parents of Navin Jones, 8, each charged with six counts of First-Degree Murder with the boy’s death, have now seen their bonds increased.
Judge John Vespa Thursday agreed with the prosecution request to increase each of Stephanie Jones’ and Brandon Walker’s bonds to $5 million each.
Vespa agreed with Assistant State’s Attorney Donna Cruz’s contention that, “it’s hard to imagine a more egregious set of circumstances” leading to Navin Jones’ death from child abuse.
Among the things learned in court Thursday, three of the six counts against Jones, 35, and Walker, 40, are enhanced counts — meaning, if convicted, the two could get natural life in prison.
Cruz, in discussing the motion, said neither Jones nor Walker checked on Navin for about 24 hours after he was first locked in his room March 28.
By the time Stephanie Jones did, Navin was unresponsive — but allegedly spent time complaining to 911 operators about him before ever saying that.
Cruz also discussed text messages between Stephanie Jones and Walker, often using foul language, discussing what should be done about Navin.
The Public Defenders for Walker and Stephanie Jones cited, in part, the lack of criminal history for the two in trying to keep the bonds where they were, but admitted that each has several Failure to Appear arrests on their records. Jennifer Patton, for Stephanie Jones, and Rachel Roth, for Walker, contended that the original one million dollar bonds are enough.
Walker and Stephanie Jones will be back in court June 30.
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