Authorities say the blood of a Tennessee man charged in the death of his 5-year-old son has been found on a shovel.
District Attorney General Ray Crouch tells news outlets that hair also found on a shovel has been sent to a state lab for testing. Joseph Ray Daniels is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Joe Clyde Daniels.
Daniels reported his autistic and nonverbal son missing in April 2018. He was soon charged and blamed Joe’s death on his wife, Krystal Nicole Daniels. She’s charged with offenses including aggravated child neglect or endangerment.
Investigators say Joseph Daniels admitted to fatally beating Joe for urinating on the floor. He later recanted. Joe’s body has yet to be found; WSMV-TV reports Crouch wouldn’t specify where the shovel was found.
