Father Charged With 5-Year-Old Son's Murder Days After Reporting Him Missing
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DICKSON, Tenn. (AP) — Days after a 5-year-old Tennessee boy was reported missing, prompting a massive search, the child's father was charged with his murder, authorities said Saturday.
Joseph Ray Daniels, 28, was arrested and charged with one count of criminal homicide, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said.
Investigators determined that Daniels' son, Joe Clyde Daniels, was killed sometime Tuesday night or early Wednesday in the family's residence, the TBI said. The father then hid his son's body, the agency said.
Media reports said the search for the child's remains continued.
The boy's parents had reported his disappearance on Wednesday.
Police and volunteers had searched for three days near the child's home in Dickson County in Middle Tennessee. The child was autistic and non-verbal.
TBI said its agents opened a criminal investigation on Friday at the request of District Attorney General Ray Crouch. As the search continued, the community rallied and prayed that the boy with blond hair and blue eyes would be found.
Authorities said the father was booked into the Dickson County Jail Saturday where he was being held on a $1 million bond.
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