Austin James Watkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Austin James was living with his grandmother, Janice Mowdy and his aunt, Stephanie Bell. He was living there with his three siblings’ ages nine, six and two years old. The children were in the custody of Mowdy and Bell because they had been removed from their mother by DHS. The reason for that is not clear at this time. The children's father is constantly in and out of prison. Four days before his 5th birthday Austin Watkins died. The cause of his death was starvation and dehydration. His lifeless body weighed 19lbs and his stomach was completely empty. All of Austin's siblings were properly nourished. Austin was singled out and tortured. His brothers and sisters had to watch their brother being starved to death.

 

Stephanie Bell and Janice Mowdy were charged with murder and felony child abuse. Police say a $10K life insurance policy may have had something to do with it. Pinned to the wall in his room was the $10,000 life insurance policy. Both women were sentenced to life in prison with no possibility for parole.