Two Subjects in Custody in Child Abuse and Neglect Case

(more charges likely in near future)

Kingston, TN – (May 25, 2020) The 9^th District Attorney General’s Office announces that two suspects are in custody as part of an ongoing investigation involving Michael Anthony Gray, Sr. (63 YOM) and Shirley Gray (60 YOF) of 1275 Dry Fork Valley Road, Ten Mile (Roane County), Tennessee.  The investigation is being conducted by the Roane County Sheriff’s Office and the 9^th District Child Crimes Unit with the cooperation of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services and other law enforcement agencies.  The 9^th District Attorney General’s Office emphasizes that, even though arrests of the two named individuals have been made, there is still more to be done.  District Attorney General Russell Johnson stated that he does anticipate further charges and that “there is still more forensic evidence to be analyzed by the investigators and forensics experts which will still need to be reviewed by the prosecutors”.  This statement obviously refers to the situation as described in the warrant narrative (and that abuse of corpse charge) concerning the father’s statement about burying a deceased daughter in the backyard at the Roane County residence.

Here is the situation as of Monday, May 25^th at 3:00 pm:

Charges have been taken by warrant against Michael Anthony Gray, Sr. by the Roane County Sheriff’s Office for two counts of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, two counts of Aggravated Child Abuse, three counts of Aggravated Child Neglect, and a single charge Abuse of a Corpse.

Charges have been taken by warrant against Shirley Gray by the Roane County Sheriff’s Office for two counts of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, two counts of Aggravated Child Abuse, three counts of Aggravated Child Neglect, and a single count of Abuse of a Corpse.

Especially Aggravated Kidnapping is a Class A felony and carries a sentence of 15 to 60 years. Under Tennessee law this charge, if it results in conviction, requires 100% day for day service with 15% sentence credit for ‘good time’ – effectively 85% with the ‘good credit’, if achieved.

Aggravated Child Abuse, as charged in this instance under the portion of the statute commonly referred to as Haley’s Law, is a Class A felony (if the child is 8 years of age or less) and carries a sentence of 15 to 60 years; and is a Class B felony (if the child is more than 8 years of age) and carries a sentence of 8 to 30 years.   Under Tennessee law this charge, if it results in conviction, requires 100% day for day service with 15% sentence credit for ‘good time’ – effectively 85% with the ‘good credit’, if achieved.

Aggravated Child Neglect, as charged in this instance under the portion of the statute commonly referred to as Haley’s Law, is also a Class B felony and carries a sentence of 8 to 30 years, but only requires 85% service with and additional 15% credit for ‘good time’, if it results in conviction.   

Abuse of a Corpse is a Class E felony carrying a sentence range of 1 to 6 years with the actual range determined by the defendant’s prior criminal history and it is a probation eligible offense.

District Attorney General Johnson publicly thanked the lead investigators – RCSO Lt. Detective A.E. ‘Art’ Wolff, RCSO Detective John Mayes and 9^th District Child Crimes Unit Agent Cortney Dugger – for their nearly ‘round-the-clock’ efforts since the situation involving the Gray family came to law enforcement attention from DCS on Friday evening.  Also, he thanked the Child Advocacy Center of the 9^th District and the forensics interviewer, Kari Watkins, for conducting nearly day-long interviews of three minor children on Sunday.

Also, Dr. Darinka Mileusnic-Polchan of the Knox County Regional Forensics Center came in to examine skeletal remains on Sunday.  Dr. Murray Marks of the forensics center and UT Anthropology Department and Roane County Medical Examiner Dr. Tom Boduch have been or will be involved as well.

General Johnson re-emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation and the review of the evidence, so additional charges are likely relative to the dead child.

Both Defendants will be arraigned before Roane County General Sessions Judge Terry Stevens on Tuesday, May 26^th at 1:00 pm at the Roane County Courthouse, most likely via video link to the Roane County Jail due to the Covid-19 restrictions.  Bond will be set at that time.  Both subjects are in custody in the jail pending the arraignment and the setting of bond.  If they are unable to make bond, they are entitled to an initial appearance hearing in court within 10 days of their arrest.  They will likely be appointed attorneys at the arraignment if they are unable to hire attorneys.

Obviously, the nature of the charges and the involvement of DCS suggest that minors (between the ages of 11 and 15) are involved.  Because of this, and the ethical rules prohibiting the release of certain factual information to the media and the public, there will be no further comment at this time.  The arrest warrants are public records and redacted copies of these warrants may be obtained through the Roane County General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office.  The narrative therein will contain more information than contained in this release.  As prosecutors we caution the media in their speculation about and dissemination of information involving minors.  As more charges are possibly brought and as court dates and hearing dates are set by the Court, both offices will update this information.

Please keep in mind that any person charged with a crime is presumed under both the US and Tennessee Constitutions and case law to be innocent until proven guilty.  Any person charged with a crime is entitled to legal representation.  Any defendant who cannot afford an attorney is entitled to one and the Court will appoint one at taxpayer expense.

Press Conference Video, Courtesy of David Ball Media

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=2379219929042493&ref=watch_permalink

Race	W
Sex	M
Eye Color	BRO
Hair Color	GRY
Weight	195
Height	5 08
Admit Date	05-25-2020
Admit Time	3:36 PM
Confining Agency	Roane

Charge	Offense Date	Court Type	Court Date	Bond	Bond Type	Charging Agency	Arresting Agency
Aggravated Child Abuse Neglect or Endangerment 8 or Less	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Aggravated Child Abuse Neglect or Endangerment 8 or Less	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Aggravated Child Abuse Neglect or Endangerment 8 or Less	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Aggravated Child Abuse Neglect or Endangerment 8 or Less	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Aggravated Child Abuse Neglect or Endangerment 8 or Less	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Especially Aggravated Kidnapping	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Abuse of corpse or sale or purchase of buried human skeletal remains	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Especially Aggravated Kidnapping	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000

Race	W
Sex	F
Eye Color	BLU
Hair Color	GRE
Weight	200
Height	5 07
Admit Date	05-25-2020
Admit Time	3:16 PM
Confining Agency	Roane

Charge	Offense Date	Court Type	Court Date	Bond	Bond Type	Charging Agency	Arresting Agency
Especially Aggravated Kidnapping	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Especially Aggravated Kidnapping	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Aggravated Child Abuse Neglect or Endangerment 8 or Less	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Aggravated Child Abuse Neglect or Endangerment 8 or Less	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Aggravated Child Abuse Neglect or Endangerment 8 or Less	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Aggravated Child Abuse Neglect or Endangerment 8 or Less	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Aggravated Child Abuse Neglect or Endangerment 8 or Less	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000
Abuse of corpse or sale or purchase of buried human skeletal remains	05-25-2020	General Sessions Stephens	10-06-2020			Roane	ROANE – TN0730000