The parents of a three-year-old Burnett County girl who was found dead in a canal near her home last month have turned themselves in to police. Criminal neglect charges were filed Friday against 33-year-old Jenna Danish and 42-year-old Thomas Williams.
Burnett County Sheriff Dean Roland says officers attempted to arrest the pair Friday afternoon after a warrant was issued, but no one answered the door at their rural Danbury home.
Renna Williams was found dead in a canal a short distance from the couple’s rural Danbury home in mid-August. Investigators found regular and synthetic marijuana in the house, which is located near a dam. Area residents who knew the family have indicated the girl was often neglected by her parents.
AUDIO: Sheriff Roland (:21)
Roland says it took a while to put the evidence together so they could pursue charges. He says investigators spent the last month following up on the numerous rumors and other statements individuals made to police after the girl’s death.
Both parents are charged with felony child neglect resulting in death and face up to 25 years in prison.
Kurt Mayer, WXCE