Two Roane County parents are in custody after skeletal remains of a child were found on their property over Memorial Day weekend.
It all started on Friday evening (May 22, 2020) when two individuals driving down Dry Fork Valley Road in Roane County came in contact with an 11-year-old child on a scooter. The condition and nature of the child was so alarming they were compelled to contact law enforcement. Upon further investigation at the home, the child’s father, 63-year-old Michael Anthony Gray, Sr., reportedly told authorities that he buried a deceased daughter in the back yard of the residence at 1275 Dry Fork Valley Road. Mr. Gray and his wife, 60-year-old Shirley Gray, were both arrested. As of Monday afternoon (May 25,2020) the Roane County Sheriff’s Office has charged both Michael Anthony Gray, Sr. and Shirley Gray with two counts of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, two counts of Aggravated Child Abuse, three counts of Aggravated Child Neglect, and a single charge Abuse of a Corpse.
District Attorney General Russell Johnson emphasized that this is an ongoing investigation and additional charges are likely.
There are three surviving child victims between the ages of 11 and 15. The Gray’s are not the biological parents of these children.
Both Defendants will be arraigned before Roane County General Sessions Judge Terry Stevens on Tuesday, May 26th at 1:00 pm at the Roane County Courthouse. Bond will be set at that time.
(Photo courtesy WVLT-Roane Co Jail: Shirley Gray left; Michael Gray Sr. right)