Stepmother denies killing 7-year-old Kansas boy

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The stepmother accused of killing a 7-year-old boy says she is not guilty.

Heather Jones, 29, appeared Monday via a video feed before a Wyandotte County judge who read the charges to her, according to KCTV. She entered her plea and asked for a court-appointed lawyer. The judge set her next court appearance for Dec. 22.

Jones faces first-degree murder as well as a child abuse charges in connection to the death of a child who authorities believe is her husband's missing son, prosecutors said. She is in the Wyandotte County Jail in lieu of a $5 million bond.

Police believe young Adrian Jones was killed and then fed to pigs. His father, Michael Jones, who has been in custody since late last month, is being held on $10 million bond.

He also faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of his son. In addition, he has been charged with child abuse, aggravated battery and aggravated assault with a firearm.

Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerome A. Gorman said the child abuse charge against Michael Jones, described as "torturing or cruelly beating," indicates Adrian was abused between May 1 and Sept. 28.

A Wyandotte County judge denied requests to release affidavits to support the charges against the couple because the documents are part of an ongoing investigation.

Police came to the couple's Piper home on Nov. 25 on a report of Michael Jones attacking his wife and firing a gun at her. As the investigation progressed, someone told them to check for Adrian's decomposed body. By the next day, they were searching a barn on the property where they discovered human remains.

Adrian allegedly went missing toward the end of September and no one ever reported his disappearance.

Six children, all girls ranging in age from 10 to younger than 2, were taken from the home after the disturbance and are in state custody. Gorman has said the children were healthy and safe, and would be under court jurisdiction "for some time."