Four Parents Arrested In Richlands Suicide Investigation Of Two Teens

[Sugar Cookie]

Tazewell County Sheriff Brian Hieatt held a press conference in Richlands on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. He announced four arrests were made in an investigation into the suicide of two Richlands High School Students.

Justin Dye, 15, killed himself with an handgun on Oct. 15, 2018. Just six months later Kayla Hodges, 16, hung herself in her front yard. The deaths caused a stir in the community and deputies conducted a thorough investigation.

As a result, Jason Osbourne, Janet Osbourne, Richard Hodges and Suzanne Polkinghorn are charged with felony Child Neglect.

The Osbourne’s are Justin Dye’s mother and stepfather. Deputies said Dye was previously hospitalized for depression, anxiety and suicidal attempts. When he was released, he was given a safety plan which involved medication to stop suicidal thoughts and keeping guns or weapons out of the home.

Investigators said the safety plan was not followed. They found the medications were not taken and Dye had full access to a loaded gun. According to a release, the Osbourne’s stopped making him take the medication. The investigation showed they felt Justin was old enough to decide whether or not to take the medication.

Sheriff Hieatt said this is not about whether or not there were guns in the home, but that they were not secured when there was a suicidal child living there.

Kayla Hodges had also been hospitalized for treatment of suicidal thoughts. She was given medication to treat her condition when she was released. Investigators found her father told the doctor he did not want her to continue taking the drugs and cancelled her counseling appointments.

Mr. Hodges also found out she was cutting on herself a month before she hung herself. During an interview with deputies, Mr. Hodges said he wanted to wait until the end of the school year to seek help for Kayla.

Suzanne Polkinghorn lived in the home with Richard and Kayla Hodges. She portrayed herself as Kayla’s grandmother, but deputies said she moved in two years before Kayla’s death and had a sexual relationship with the man she referred to as her son.

Parents arrested in Richlands suicide investigation

Tazewell County Sheriff Brian Hieatt held a press conference in Richlands on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. He announced four arrests were made in an investigation into the suicide of two Richlands High Sc…

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[Prettypink513]

They seriously failed those kids smh

 

[Brillig]

Those poor kids needed help, and these losers didn't give it.

 

[Sejanus]

They wanted the kids dead.

 

[myra manes]

Fuck, no wonder the kids offed themselves ..

 

[Stebot]

About time parents took some responsibility .

 

[EyEgOrE]

Mr. Hodges said he wanted to wait until the end of the school year to seek help for Kayla.

Good plan, dad!

 

[cubby]

Trash, all of them. No concern at all for their children, even tho they knew they needed lots of help and support. I just can't even...I'm speechless. And that ain't often.

 

[BuffettGirl]

Gee, kids raised in chaos and with an utter disregard for their well being suicided... Great job mom/stepdad/dad/fake gramma...

 

[Inferus]

Three of those pics would work as a poster for depression.

 

[Sevens My Charm]

I met my daughter in the kitchen every morning before school.. I handed her medication.. she was required to take it and let this nurse do a through check they were taken.. she turned eighteen.. it became her adult decision.. until then she didn't 'get a choice' my house my rules...

 

[Josie Introvert]

With parents like those no wonder they were suicidal. These 4 look like a "this is your brain on drugs" photo collection. Not to mention, the fact the the girl's "grandmother" is really her stepmother smh