Dad charged with murder in death of 2-month-old son (Pearl, Mississippi)

Father MICHAEL VOYLES is charged with capital murder in the death of his 2-month-old son.

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Father charged in infant son's death
Posted: July 14, 2009 08:12 PM CDT
Updated: July 14, 2009 11:29 PM CDT

By Roslyn Anderson

Pearl, MS (WLBT) - Pearl police are investigating a case of abuse that has resulted in the death of child.

According to investigators , the infant died tragically at the hands of his father after being hospitalized this weekend.

Thirty-three-year-old Michael Voyles is charged with capital murder in connection with the death of his infant son.

Pearl Police Chief Ben Schuler said the two month old was transported to the hospital with severe injuries.

"Sometime Sunday afternoon we got a call to come to University Medical Center about some possible abuse," said Chief Schuler.

Tuesday Voyles made his initial appearance in court.

Investigators said he harmed the baby inside their home at Shady Groves Estates located at 2526 Old Brandon Road in Pearl.

The damage was so extensive that the child had to be placed on a ventilator.

"Yesterday (Monday) they took the baby off of life support. When they took the baby off of life support it passed away," said Schuler.

While law officers are in the early stages of the abuse investigation, Chief Schuler said the child's mother, Amanda Voyles, has not been charged.

But precautions have been taken with an older sibling.

"There was another two-year-old child in the home. That child had been removed from the home at this time," said the chief.

Because of the ongoing investigation, police said they are not releasing the details of the child's injuries.

An autopsy has been conducted, but the complete findings are yet not available.

It is a tough case for Pearl's new department leader, a father of three who has been on the job for only two weeks.

"It just breaks your heart, just breaks your heart," said Schuler.

The 20 year law officer compliments his agency's action and the work of the district attorney's office in finding the evidence needed to link Voyle's to his son's murder.

Voyles is being held without bond in the Rankin County Detention Center.

A preliminary hearing will be held next week.