Fort Benning couple indicted in death of infant son, animal cruelty case
A federal grand jury has indicted a Fort Benning couple on multiple charges, including felony murder by child abuse, in connection with the death of their infant son and the alleged starvation and abuse of three family dogs.
U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes announced Tuesday that an eight-count federal indictment was returned against Emma Bradshaw, 22, of Carson City, Nevada, and Ladarrion McCray, 23, of Valdosta, Georgia.
According to the indictment, both defendants are charged with:
One count of felony murder by child abuse
One count of cruelty to children in the first degree
One count of making false statements
One count of animal crushing
One count of aggravated animal cruelty
Two counts of animal cruelty
If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
According to court documents, Bradshaw and McCray are accused of willfully depriving their infant son of necessary sustenance between Jan. 14 and Jan. 28, 2026. Prosecutors allege the deprivation jeopardized the child’s health and well-being and ultimately resulted in the child’s death on Jan. 28.
At the time of the alleged offenses, the couple was living in housing on Fort Benning. McCray was an active-duty soldier who had recently been transferred to the installation, while Bradshaw joined him on post shortly after his arrival. Court records indicate Bradshaw was pregnant with their child when she arrived at Fort Benning.
Federal prosecutors also allege the couple neglected and abused three dogs — a female dachshund, a male hound, and a female doberman — by failing to provide adequate food, water, sanitary conditions, and ventilation.
On Jan. 28, agents with the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) executed a search warrant at the couple’s residence. Investigators reportedly found the hound and doberman alive but severely malnourished. The dachshund was discovered deceased inside a trash barrel outside the home.
The surviving dogs were taken to an animal shelter on Fort Benning, where medical evaluations found both animals were suffering from severe malnourishment and significant muscle wasting. A necropsy later determined the dachshund died from starvation, according to the indictment.
The indictment further alleges that Bradshaw and McCray made false statements to investigators. Prosecutors claim the pair told CID agents their child had shown no signs of illness before his death. They also allegedly stated the dachshund died from an illness and had been buried at a park off Fort Benning.
However, prosecutors contend both defendants knew their son was suffering from severe malnourishment before his death and that the dog’s remains had actually been placed in a garbage bag and discarded with household trash near their residence.
McCray is currently undergoing discharge proceedings from the U.S. Army as a result of the alleged conduct, according to federal authorities.
Initial court appearances for both defendants will be scheduled at a later date.
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