Published: Sunday, December 12, 2010, 10:34 PM ??? Updated: Sunday, December 12, 2010, 10:59 PM
MOBILE, Ala. -- The 22-year-old stepmother of a young brother and sister found dead this past week was still being transported tonight from Kentucky back to Mobile to face charges related to their deaths, authorities said.
Heather Leavell-Keaton was to be charged with two counts each of aggravated child abuse and abuse of a corpse, authorities said.
Leavell-Keaton left jail in Louisville, Ky., on Thursday in the custody of a private carrier that transports prisoners between several institutions, according to Mobile County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Lori Myles.
As of 10 p.m. tonight, Leavell-Keaton had not been booked into the Mobile County Metro Jail.
The children’s father, John DeBlase, 27, is in Metro Jail, charged with two counts each of murder, aggravated child abuse and abuse of a corpse.
Leavell-Keaton’s transportation from Louisville took place over several days, during which the remains of 4-year-old Natalie DeBlase ware found off Prine Road and Beverly Jeffries Highway in a remote area of northwest Mobile County.
The remains of Natalie’s brother, 3-year-old Jonathan "Chase" DeBlase, were found Wednesday in a rural area near Vancleave, Miss., authorities in Jackson County, Miss., said.
Investigators believe Natalie was killed in March, and Chase died in June.
The search for the two children began in late November after Leavell-Keaton’s mother reported their deaths to the police.
Louisville police said Leavell-Keaton had asked for a restraining order against DeBlase, who had left for Florida. He was arrested Dec. 3 in Milton, Fla., and was originally charged with two counts each of aggravated child abuse and abuse of a corpse.
The stepmother was originally charged with two counts of willful abuse and neglect of a child. Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson Jr. on Friday said the charges had been upgraded against Leavell-Keaton.
Court documents obtained by the Mississippi Press graphically detailed instances of abuse and torture against the children.
In one instance, specified in an arrest warrant for DeBlase, the document said the father allowed Leavell-Keaton to duct tape Chase’s hands to his side and a broom to his back. A sock was put in his mouth before he was forced to stand in a corner all night while the adults slept, the document said.
Another document stated that DeBlase allowed Leavell-Keaton to duct tape Natalie’s hands and feet in a similar manner, place a sock in her mouth and place the girl inside a suitcase. The girl remained in the suitcase inside a closet for about 14 hours, the document said.
Chase’s remains were found Wednesday in a wooded area off Miss. 57, about 12 miles north of Interstate 10 in Jackson County. Sheriff Mike Byrd said the father told authorities where the remains would be found.
DeBlase also disclosed the location of Natalie’s remains before the search near Citronelle began, police said.
John Thompson, an attorney standing in for DeBlase’s lawyer, Don Sears, said the father intends to plead not guilty by reason of insanity or mental disease at his next hearing, scheduled for Jan. 4.
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