Both parents deny charges in infant son's death

by The Associated Press
| January 8, 2015 8:06 PM

BILLINGS — A Billings couple has denied felony charges filed after the death of their 10-week-old son.

Kayla Jean Edwards, 23, pleaded not guilty Thursday to deliberate homicide in the Dec. 27 death of Tavaris Michael Edwards. District Judge Mary Jane Knisely maintained her bond at $350,000.

Brandon Edwards pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of aggravated assault and one charge of assault on a minor. Knisely denied a request by public defender Abigail Houle to reduce his bond from $200,000 to $20,000.

Court records say Kayla Jean Edwards acknowledged hitting Tavaris on the back of the head and strangled him on Christmas Day because he wouldn’t stop crying. Prosecutors say Brandon Edwards failed to stop her.

Authorities say Tavaris’ twin sister also was injured and is being cared for in a safe environment.