Tavaris Michael Edwards

 

 

 

 

 

Kayla Edwards called 911 Christmas night and reported that her son Tavaris Edwards had stopped breathing. Medical personnel responded to the Edwards residence about 8 p.m. and took Tavaris to St. Vincent Healthcare for treatment. The medical responders observed suspicious injuries on Tavaris’ tiny body and notified law enforcement.

 

Tavaris was in critical condition at St. Vincent Healthcare on December 25th and the child's parents were taken into custody on suspicion of abusing their twin children, a boy and a girl, on Christmas night. “The investigation revealed that the defendant struck Tavaris in the head so hard that she caused a brain injury,” an affidavit of probable cause stated. “The defendant then strangled Tavaris to prevent him from breathing.” Tavaris’ father Brandon Edwards, admitted to watching and allowing the assault, as well as choking Tavaris on another occasion. Brandon Edwards later broke down sobbing and admitted he heard his wife yell at the baby to "shut up," followed by Kayla Edwards hitting the baby in the back of the head and choking him with her hands. He also told investigators that he and his wife had tortured the babies by turning their car seats upside down with them strapped inside. The state took custody of Tavaris’ twin sister, whom also had multiple injuries on her face, including around her eye, her nose and significant bruising on her forehead.

 

Ten week old Taravis Edwards died at 3:48 a.m., on Saturday December 27, 2014 at Children's Hospital in Aurora Colorado, after being taken off life support. His parents remain incarcerated at the Yellowstone County Jail. There is no word yet on what charges the parents may face.

 

Update:

 

Brandon Edwards was charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault and one charge of assault on a minor. Kayla Edwards was charged with deliberate homicide, which is punishable by up to life in prison, and one count of assault on a minor.  Brandon and Kayla Edwards are scheduled to go on trial April 20 before a 12 person jury and Yellowstone County District Court Judge Mary Jane Knisely.