From News Channel 9: A Bradley County grand jury has indicted two people in connection with the death of a 20-year-old woman who authorities say was locked in a 42-inch dog cage in May.
Indictments we obtained say the grand jury found Jason Michael Bennett and Rodnie Elaine Bradford responsible for the death of Erin Childers on October 21.
According to the documents, Childers was non-verbal, developmentally delayed and had type 1 diabetes.
The documents say Bradford, Childers' mother, bought the cage from a Walmart in Cleveland on May 8.
Bradford and Bennett then locked Childers in the cage every night.
On May 25, Bradford went on a trip to Ohio and left Childers in Bennett's care.
Childers continued to be locked in the cage at night.
According to the indictments, Bennett texted Bradford that Childers had high blood sugar would not come out of the cage on May 26.
A responding text from Bradford told Bennett to " open the cage and just leave her alone", and to give Childers water and crackers.
The indictments say Bennett followed the instructions and left Childers in the cage for the night.
According to Childers' obituary, she died in a hospital in Chattanooga on May 27.
One neighbor recalls calling 911 after seeing Erin walking barefoot near a busy road.
“I was concerned, so we called 911, just because it seemed like the best thing to do. I was worried they were going to get hit. She was walking toward APD 40.”
Dr. Robbie Faulkner, Executive Director of the ARC Tennessee, says...
“There are long-term services and supports in the state of Tennessee that TennCare can provide for someone like Erin, but again, that would fall to the parents.”
Bennett and Bradford are indicted on the following charges:
They are set to be arraigned on November 2.
Indictments we obtained say the grand jury found Jason Michael Bennett and Rodnie Elaine Bradford responsible for the death of Erin Childers on October 21.
According to the documents, Childers was non-verbal, developmentally delayed and had type 1 diabetes.
The documents say Bradford, Childers' mother, bought the cage from a Walmart in Cleveland on May 8.
Bradford and Bennett then locked Childers in the cage every night.
On May 25, Bradford went on a trip to Ohio and left Childers in Bennett's care.
Childers continued to be locked in the cage at night.
According to the indictments, Bennett texted Bradford that Childers had high blood sugar would not come out of the cage on May 26.
A responding text from Bradford told Bennett to " open the cage and just leave her alone", and to give Childers water and crackers.
The indictments say Bennett followed the instructions and left Childers in the cage for the night.
According to Childers' obituary, she died in a hospital in Chattanooga on May 27.
One neighbor recalls calling 911 after seeing Erin walking barefoot near a busy road.
“I was concerned, so we called 911, just because it seemed like the best thing to do. I was worried they were going to get hit. She was walking toward APD 40.”
Dr. Robbie Faulkner, Executive Director of the ARC Tennessee, says...
“There are long-term services and supports in the state of Tennessee that TennCare can provide for someone like Erin, but again, that would fall to the parents.”
Bennett and Bradford are indicted on the following charges:
- First degree murder (2 counts)
- Aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult
- Aggravated neglect of a vulnerable adult
- Conspiracy aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult
- Conspiracy aggravated neglect of a vulnerable adult
They are set to be arraigned on November 2.
Posted in Local News
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January
Cleveland man among two arrested after biker gang stabbing in TazewellTennessee sees fewer deadly crashes, Georgia sees more holiday traffic deaths2 women, 2 children found dead in Waverly home during welfare checkFormer TN Rep. Robin Smith seeks probation in federal mail fraud caseBradley County Commission meeting recapTDOT temporarily closing lanes along I-75 in Bradley, McMinn Counties"She admitted her mistakes": Former TN Rep. Robin Smith's pardon attorney fighting for presidential probationHundreds of DUI arrests in TN ended with no drugs or alcohol detected, TBI reportsBradley Co. Schools to begin training on weapons detection systems, aimed at enhancing campus safetyCleveland City Schools announces leadership transitions after 2026 school yearMulti-vehicle crash on I-75 South Tuesday afternoonAthens man receives one of the longest sentences in TN history in child sex abuse caseJenkins Deli to close after nearly 50 years in businessPolk County receives $500,000 Tennessee Historic Development Grant for courthouseGun found in student's car at McMinn Co. High; juvenile chargedCleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks delivers State of the City addressCleveland State announces Community First AwardsMotorcyclist killed in crash on Ooltewah Georgetown Rd. Sunday morningLake Winnie gets new operator; set to begin in 2026 seasonTennessee’s unemployment rate decreases in NovemberBradley County Commission meeting recapCleveland City Council meeting recapCleveland State presidential search advisory committee appointed; public forum set for WednesdaySmall plane crashes in Polk County TuesdayMcMinn Co. High School placed on temporary lockdown following "concerning comment" made by studentCleveland City School Board meeting recapHuman remains found in wooded area near EtowahTennessee Sandhill Crane Festival to celebrate 35th anniversary January 17-18Tennessee residents may soon vote to ban state property tax foreverGov. Lee proclaims January 19 as "Dolly Parton Day"United Airlines temporarily offering direct flights from Chattanooga to DenverBarn blaze leaves 9 animals dead in Bradley County ThursdayBradley County Mayor Gary Davis delivers annual State of the County addressNo injuries reported after crash on Paul Huff Parkway SaturdayPetroleum pipeline maintenance under Mouse Creek Road to cause delaysCharleston home a complete loss after fire Saturday afternoonTwo vehicle crash on I-75 S causes temporary road closure SundayBradley Medical Center and Erlanger to partner to expand pediatric emergency servicesOoltewah man arrested after auto burglary spree, HCSO saysDecember Tennessee revenues exceed budgeted amounts by $82.7 millionTennessee lawmakers push to expand school voucher program as demand surges past 50,000Bradley County Commission meeting recapCleveland man arrested after making threats to judge, criminal justice officialsYour to-do list ahead of the winter storm heading toward the TN ValleyOfficials urge residents to prepare now for unpredictable winter weather in TN ValleySPCA of Bradley County temporarily closing due to winter weatherBradley County EMS to begin carrying CYANOKITTennessee and Georgia declare state of emergenciesCleveland City Schools names Mike Chai as new Director of Student ServicesSheriff Steve Lawson discusses updates and future needs of BCSO ThursdayMan wanted for attempted murder in Athens stabbing considered dangerousCleveland City Schools and CPD launch BusPatrol ProgramBradley County government offices closed MondayTDOT crews help drivers across the stateMcMinn Co. deputy praised for heroic response to deadly crash after pursuit of stolen vehicleCleveland City Council meeting recapCleveland's Long Range Transportation Plan draft focuses on congestion, safetyApartment catches fire Sunday in ClevelandVolunteers needed for Barbara's Market in ClevelandTBI activates hotline to support welfare checks after winter stormBlood Assurance offers $40 eGift Cards to donorsLee University, City of Cleveland partner to celebrate Sousa’s Musical LegacyFormer Hamilton Co. teacher sentenced to 60 years following conviction of child sexual abuseCleveland firefighters quickly extinguish basement fire Wednesday nightKnox County man charged with first-degree murder after body found in Ten MileBCSO to host blood drive with Blood Assurance on Feb. 9Cleveland PD Chief Mark Gibson delivers 2026 New Year's MessageUnemployment rates below 5% in nearly every Tennessee countyGov. Lee requests expedited disaster declaration for 23 counties
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