Post by Graveyardbride on Dec 24, 2017 3:54:09 GMT -5
Evan Brewer, Miller and Bodine
Concrete-Encased Toddler Showed Signs of Abuse
WICHITA, Kan. – Newly-released documents reveal a Kansas child who was found encased in concrete after being reported missing was abused prior to his death. On Wednesday (Dec. 20), probable cause affidavits were issued indicating the reason police arrested 3-year-old Evan Brewer’s mother, Miranda Miller, 36, and her boyfriend, Stephen Bodine, 40, in connection with his death. The affidavits described photos and videos found by the Wichita Police Department that appeared to show the toddler being abused. Photos showed the toddler “surrounded by concrete walls, his hands bound behind his back with a metal-buckle belt around his neck,” the Wichita Eagle reported. In a video, Miller was “violently spanking Evan for moving while in bed.” Police also discovered a receipt that showed a trowel, rod and concrete were purchased in May.
According to the affidavit, Bodine told a sheriff’s office employee he “was the one who put the kid in the concrete in the laundry room.”
The child was reported missing August 31 and the body was discovered September 2 by the owner of 2037 S. Vine Street – the house Miller and Bodine had been renting – encased within the concrete structure. Police said the landlord used a sledgehammer to crack the strange object after detecting a bad smell. The boy’s body was so decomposed medical examiners could not determine the cause of death.
Reportedly, the Department for Children and Families had been called a number of times by concerned citizens alleging the little boy was being abused and neglected.
Miller and Bodine were both charged with “first-degree murder” in the toddler’s death Tuesday (Dec. 19) and each are being held on $500,000 bond.
Shortly after the discovery of the child’s body, gubernatorial candidate and former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer confirmed Evan Brewer was his grandson. “We are devastated by the death of our sweet and loving grandson, Evan,” he said in a statement. “We cannot begin to make sense of this tragedy, but are thankful the suspects are in custody.”
Sources: Kathleen Joyce, Fox News, December 22, 2017; Nichole Manna, The Wichita Eagle, September 5, 2017; and KWCH TV.
