Authorities say that a pair of Arizona parents were among three people arrested in connection to the death of their 16-year-old son. He was found wrapped in blankets behind a stone wall last week, according to authorities.
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, Jon Imes and Amber Leah Valentine, both 41-year-olds, were charged with felony neglect and concealment. Both parents called the authorities on February 25 to report that their son had fled from Kingman.
According to them, the boy had been last seen around 10 a.m. two days before.
Authorities discovered a body covered in blankets behind a wall on February 28. To determine the cause of death, an autopsy will be performed.
On March 2, Amber-Leah Valentine called the sheriff’s office to report having just freed her 14-year-old daughter, who was being held captive by her roommates, Richard Pounds, 34, and 39-year-old Shioban Gujda, both of Kingman.
The girl was taken to the hospital for medical attention. Investigators learned that she was shot in the eye by a Pounds BB gun. She also provided additional details about abuses in her home. The Arizona Department of Child Safety was granted custody of the girl.
Amber-Leah Valentine confessed to authorities that her husband and she lied to the police when they reported their son missing. They claimed he was already deceased at the time they reported him missing. Jon Imes stated that he had disposed of his body.
Pounds, Gujda, and their home were searched and they were taken into custody. Pounds was taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated assault and felony child abuse.
This case is still under investigation.
