FAITH — The next door neighbors of a drowned toddler’s family broke into the residence during the child’s funeral and ransacked the home, authorities said today.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said Bobby Milam, 26, and his girlfriend, Jessica Williams, 22, sold jewelry taken from the home to a local metal dealer.
Deputies searched the couple’s Rockwood Drive home, but did not immediately locate the couple.
However, deputies found the burned remains of Parker James Lee Munn’s birth certificate book, a picture frame and an angel ornament that had been in the 1-year-old’s bedroom. The remains were in a blackened pile in the couple’s backyard.
Milam and Williams were arrested this morning.
Parker Munn died Sept. 11 after he was found in a decorative landscaped pond in a neighbor’s yard. The suspects in the theft are not the same neighbor.
Investigators said the child was reported missing shortly before he was found. Efforts were made to revive the toddler, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An incident report about the break-in and theft said more than $4,000 in property was taken from the home while Parker’s parents, Nicholas Munn and Jessica Kepley, were attending their son’s funeral.
Authorities said a tip by a concerned citizen aided the investigation.
On Wednesday, officers got a lead that Milam and Williams had sold some of Jessica Kepley’s stolen jewelry, a report said.
Lt. Chad Moose, head of the criminal investigations division, and his detectives searched the couple’s Rockwood Drive home and later obtained warrants for the couple.
Patrol deputies located Milam and Williams in the 700 block of Poole Road about 3:30 a.m. Friday.
Both were charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny and felony obtaining property.
Milam and Williams remained in jail this morning under $50,000 bonds.
Investigators said they will seek charges for the burned property, as well.