BENTONVILLE -- A Gentry couple pleaded not guilty Monday to felony charges in the death of their 6-month-old son.
Austin Moss, 21, and Jennifer Moss, 19, are charged with manslaughter. They pleaded not guilty during arraignments before Circuit Judge Robin Green.
An investigation began Jan. 25 after firefighters and police were called to 300 Meadow Court, No. 8 in Siloam Springs for a report of a baby who had no pulse and wasn't breathing. Attempts to save the child failed.
The baby's body was sent to the state Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for an autopsy. Preliminary results indicate the cause of death was asphyxia due to co-sleeping, according to court documents.
Austin Moss told police he woke up Jan. 25 and found his son under him, according to court documents. Austin Moss told police he began to smoke methamphetamine Jan. 24, and he didn't go to sleep until late that night. Moss said he and his wife later smoked marijuana.
Jennifer Moss also told police she smoked methamphetamine and marijuana, according to court documents.
They were staying with a friend in Siloam Springs, according to the documents.
They were arrested Feb. 10. Bond originally was set at $100,000 each.
John VanWinkle, who represents the couple, filed a motion to reduce their bonds. Green reduced Austin Moss' bond to $50,000 and set Jennifer Moss' bond at $75,000. They remained in jail Monday night.
They are scheduled to appear for omnibus hearings at 8:30 a.m. June 1.
Manslaughter is a Class C felony punishable with a prison sentence ranging from three to 10 years.
NW News on 04/21/2015