Couple Charged in Death of 4-Year-Old Girl
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A Lyons couple is in custody at the Toombs County Detention Center, as the pair allegedly beat a 4-yearold child to death.
On Friday, March 14, at around 7:45 p.m., Toombs County 911 Dispatch received a call about an unresponsive child. The caller shared that they were driving to the emergency room from their residence with the child and needed an ambulance to meet them on the route.
The child was later identified as 4-yearold Reese Hughes.
Toombs-Montgomery EMS met the caller and Reese at the Enmarket in Lyons, located at the continued from page
intersection of West Liberty Street and South Victory Drive, where they immediately took Reese and began working to try to save her life. Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia.
Toombs County Sheriff Jordan Kight requested assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 12 Office to probe the case. Through the investigation, suspicion arose that Reese was beaten to death, which led to the arrest of her mother, Taylor Marie Hughes, 29, of Lyons, and Taylor Hughes’s boyfriend Seth Hunter Brown, 26, of Lyons.
Taylor Hughes is charged with cruelty to children in the first degree (felony), aggravated battery, felony murder, and malice murder for allegedly allowing Brown to strike her daughter repeatedly, ultimately causing her death. Brown has the same charges for striking the child and causing her death.
The couple both went before Chief Middle Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Robert Reeves for their first appearance in court on Monday, March 17, where Judge Reeves informed the pair that bond would not be considered at the current time. Hughes requested a court-appointed attorney while Brown stated he would hire his own counsel, and with no further business to attend, the hearing was adjourned.
Middle Judicial Circuit Tripp Fitzner addressed the case after the hearing. “Today, we had a first appearance hearing, which was strictly to advise [Taylor Hughes and Seth Brown] of the charges against them and the fact that they are entitled to an attorney,” he explained. “We are working with Sheriff [Jordan] Kight, and I have been really impressed by the work that his investigators have done on this case. They have done an excellent job. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has also been working, and I know that our Sheriff has used every resource that his office has on this case, and we appreciate it. They are continuing to work, and we will do our very best to get this matter presented to the Grand Jury as soon as we can.”
Fitzner explained that the case has 90 days to be presented to the Grand Jury before the suspects are offered bond; he stated that his staff is working diligently to try to complete the work within that window.
Sheriff Kight also commented on the case, which he stated is still being investigated. “I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families during this difficult time,” he emphasized. “I ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come. Additionally, I ask that you pray for all public safety, first responders, and medical staff involved.”
As the investigation continues, the community’s support for the family of Reese Hughe continues to pour out, as many businesses don pink ribbons in honor of Reese’s memory. A prayer vigil was even held at Liberty Baptist Church on Tuesday night, March 18, as the public was invited to show their support and express their love as the church honored Reese’s memory.
Reese’s grandparents Steve and Michele Hughes shared a public statement on their family’s behalf, which read, “We would like to thank all of the people who have reached out to us during this tragedy. Our hearts are devastated, but we have been encouraged by the support and generosity of so many in our community. A great number of people have reached out, wanting to do fundraisers or show support with gifts and acts of love, but what we need more than anything is prayer.”
If you have any information on the case, please call the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 526-9292. If you know of any child abuse, please contact the Department of Family and Children Services Child Protective Services Hotline at 1 (855) 422-4453.
TAYLOR MARIE HUGHES
BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK – Criminal Defense Attorney and former State Legislator Mc-Cracken Poston Jr. recently spoke to the Vidalia Kiwanis Club to share a “behind the scenes look” at his experience representing Alvin Ridley in a high profile murder case. Poston has since penned a novel – “Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom” – about the case, and spoke about the process. (Shown) Poston shows the Club a headline from a local newspaper after Ridley was bonded out of jail.Photo by Makaylee Randolph
