Rhea County couple allegedly fed cigarette butts, liquid soap to 5-year-old boy

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

photo Landon Robbins
photo Bradley Adcox and Jessica Robbins

DAYTON, Tenn. - Cigarette butts that a 5-year-old boy was forced to eat as punishment by his mother and her boyfriend were found in the boy's stomach during an autopsy.

That's according to two hours of testimony this afternoon at a hearing for Bradley Adcox, 22, and Jessica Robbins, 29 before Rhea County General Sessions Court Judge Jim McKenzie over the Aug. 30 death of 5-year-old Landon Robbins, who was Jessica Robbins' son.

Judge McKenzie bound the couple over to the Rhea County Grand Jury, which meets Monday, Oct. 7, on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.

In addition to being fed cigarette butts, the boy and his two sisters, ages 3 and 4, were whipped and made to drink liquid soap as punishment for not going to sleep on time, according to testimony.

The judge denied the couples' request for bond.

The only witness to testify was Rhea County Detective Rocky Potter.

Read more in tomorrow's Times Free Press.