A 23-year-old active-duty U.S. Army soldier and his wife have been charged in federal court after prosecutors alleged they deliberately starved their young son to death while living on a military base in Georgia. Investigators say the case also uncovered evidence of severe animal neglect, including a dog that allegedly died from starvation.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, Ladarrion McCray, 23, and Emma Bradshaw, 22, are each charged with murder by child abuse, cruelty to children, and making false statements in connection with the death of their son.
Child Died While Family Lived on Georgia Military Base
Federal authorities said McCray was serving as an active-duty soldier with the U.S. Army after being transferred to Fort Benning in Georgia. Bradshaw later joined him at the base while she was pregnant with their son.
Their child died on January 28, triggering a federal investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to the indictment, prosecutors allege that McCray and Bradshaw knew their son was showing signs of severe malnutrition before he died.
Prosecutors Say Child Was Deliberately Deprived of Food
The federal indictment alleges that between January 14 and January 28, the couple willfully deprived their son of food, placing his health and well-being at serious risk.
Authorities claim the prolonged lack of nourishment resulted in the child’s death.
Officials have not publicly released additional medical information regarding the child’s condition or age.
Alleged False Statements During Investigation
Prosecutors further allege that after their son’s death, McCray and Bradshaw provided investigators with false information about his condition and the events leading up to his death.
Those alleged false statements led to additional criminal charges against both defendants.
Search of Home Revealed Alleged Animal Neglect
While investigating the child’s death, law enforcement officers searched the family’s residence on the military installation.
According to prosecutors, investigators found two living dogs suffering from severe malnourishment and significant muscle wasting.
Authorities also discovered a dead dachshund that had reportedly been discarded in the trash.
Necropsy Found Dog Also Died From Starvation
According to the indictment, McCray initially told investigators that the dachshund had died from an illness and claimed it had been buried at an off-base park.
However, a veterinary necropsy later concluded that the dog had actually died from starvation, contradicting McCray’s statement to investigators.
Additional Animal Cruelty Charges Filed
In addition to the charges related to their son’s death, both defendants are facing several animal-related offenses, including:
- Animal crushing
- Aggravated animal cruelty
- Two counts of animal cruelty
Federal prosecutors allege the condition of the surviving dogs demonstrated a broader pattern of neglect inside the home.
Soldier Faces Military Consequences
The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that McCray is also facing Army discharge proceedings as a result of the criminal allegations.
The criminal case against McCray and Bradshaw remains pending in federal court as prosecutors continue pursuing charges related to both the death of their child and the alleged abuse of the family’s animals.
