Latest news with #MauryCountySheriff'sDepartment
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Family members among those charged following Maury County teen's overdose death
MAURY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Four people, including a mother and grandmother, are being charged for their connection to the overdose death of a Maury County teen. Katelynn Dupont was just 16 years old when she died from an overdose on Dec. 14, 2024. Approximately four months later, on April 10, the Maury County Sheriff's Department made multiple arrests in Dupont's case. A multi-count indictment reports that four people, including the teen's mother Casey Bankhead and grandmother Nancy Bankhead, have been arrested in connection to the overdose. Narcan vending machine opens at convenience store in Midtown Nashville Casey and Nancy were reportedly charged with aggravated child neglect and first-degree murder. According to the charging document, the women 'unlawfully and knowingly neglected a child under 18 years of age, so as to adversely affect the child's health and welfare, and the act of neglect resulted in serious bodily injury.' News 2 went to Nancy's home on Tuesday, April 15, to ask about her alleged involvement in her granddaughter's death. 'What's going through your mind and heart right now?' asked News 2's Andy Cordan. 'It hurts, real bad. I was asleep and my granddaughter left that night and I got a call at 1 a.m. saying she was having a seizure and died,' Nancy replied. When asked if she was in any way responsible in her granddaughter's death, Nancy stated, 'I don't know. Not that I know of. I was asleep.' Meanwhile, Jerry Durham is being held in the Maury County jail facing six charges, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated statutory rape, one count of aggravated child neglect and possession of meth. News 2's Andy Cordan visited Durham at the jail, where he denied all charges and claimed it was a 'conspiracy.' 'It's a suicide. She's known for suicide attempts, and I'm not guilty of nothing I'm charged with,' Durham told News 2. When asked why he would be charged for the teen's suicide, Durham offered the following answer: 'I don't know why they charged me. I guess cause she was at my house when she done it. I don't know why she did that to me.' 'They got me charged with statutory rape,' added Durham. 'I've never touched that girl sexually.' 'Were you guys living together?' Cordan inquired. 'No,' Durham responded. However, he mentioned that he was dating Dupont's mom 'on and off.' 'So, you're telling me you never had sex with that girl?' Cordan asked. 'Never. I never had any kind of sexual relations with that child. Never,' Durhan replied tearily. Durham told News 2 what he's being charged with makes him emotional because he believes authorities are 'trying to take his life.' 'You know what they charged me with? First-degree murder, second-degree murder… on a OD and suicide? I called 911. I tried to save the girl!' he said. During the interview, Durham added that the drugs that killed Katelynn Dupont came from her mother. The fourth person indicted in connection to Dupont's death has been identified as 43-year-old Jessica Estes. She is charged with second-degree murder. During an interview at Maury County Jail, Estes claimed she doesn't even know the people involved in the case, adding 'she never met these people a day in her life.' 'How do you feel about being here today?' asked News 2's Andy Cordan. 'I'm mad, I mean this is time away I cannot get back,' Estes responded. 'I mean I have kids, I have a family at home waiting on me. I lost my job. I'm going to lose everything.' ⏩ The mother of two adult children acknowledged that she has a history of drug dealing, but said she doesn't deal to children and she didn't deal the drugs that killed Katelynn Dupont. 'Just point blank, I'm pretty sure they are trying to tie you to the drugs that killed the girl and you say what?' Cordan inquired. 'That I have nothing to do with it. It was not me. I was not selling the drugs that they say she died from,' Estes replied before she continued. 'I have drug charges and I'm not saying I'm an innocent person by no means, but I do not deal with children. At all, by any means, at all. Because I have children and I would not want anyone to do that to me.' Neither the Maury County Sheriff's Department nor the District Attorney's Office would provide a comment about the case. Both Nancy and Casey have since been released from jail on bond. No additional details were immediately released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mule Day on track, Wagon Train arrives despite stormy weather, 'Everything is good here'
After another round of storms swept through Maury County on Wednesday evening, emergency workers continue assessing damages and if attendees will endure a soggier-than-usual Mule Day this year. In Maury County, several church shelters opened for those seeking refuge from the storm Wednesday, which brought high winds, heavy rain and a tornado warning. The storm follows two tornadoes that touched down in Maury County just days before on March 31, destroying a home in Mt. Pleasant in Maury County. More: Maury Co. farmers continue cleanup after Sunday tornado, 'It was like a freight train' More: Three Tennessee storm deaths reported in McNairy, Obion, Fayette counties As of Thursday morning, Mule Day events have not been affected by Wednesday's storms, Mule Day PR Director Louise Mills said. "Everything is coming off normal, and we are prepared to open the park today at 10 a.m.," Mills told The Daily Herald on Thursday morning. "Everything is good here, and we don't have any wet ground. It didn't rain much here at all. We heard the wind a little bit, but it was all good." More: Things to do: Mules, markets, First Fridays, CAB Festival, Clean Comedy at Packard The annual Mule Day Wagon Train also reached Maury County Park without a hitch after a few days of travel by mule-drawn wagons throughout counties in Southern Middle Tennessee. 'The mule train had a fabulous week traveling and arrived at the park about 4 p.m. Wednesday,' Mills said. "I think they had three very nice days on their wagon train." Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder posted to social media on Wednesday stating that safety during Mule Day is the city's number one priority. "Mule Day emergency preparedness and oversight is one of the most sophisticated operations we handle," Molder stated. "The latest predictions show a 'break' in the bad weather for Friday thru Sunday afternoon. As far as events, most events will be inside the park and OEM and the Maury County Sheriff's Department have EOC set up at the [Ridley] 4-H center to monitor events. CPD will assist with any requests for help." Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Columbia Mule Day on track, Wagon Train arrives despite bad weather
