Adam Robison | Buy at photos.djournal.com
Timothy Jones Sr. wipes tears from his eyes during the memorial service Friday in Amory that honored his five grandchildren, who were found dead in Alabama, allegedly killed by their father.
By Alice Ortiz
Monroe Journal
AMORY – The community that hosted five children last summer while their parents were going through a divorce came together Thursday in their memory, just days after their bodies were recovered on a rural hilltop in Alabama.
A crowd at Amory Church of Christ remembered South Carolina children Merah, 8; Elias, 7; Nahtahn, 6; Gabriel, 2; and Elaine, 1, who police believe were killed by their father, Timothy Jones Jr. They were last seen alive Aug. 28 when their father picked them up from school and day care.
Wilcox County District Attorney Michael Jackson in Alabama told The State newspaper on Friday that investigators “believe it (the cause of death) was strangulation.”
The father was arrested in Smith County on Saturday, Sept. 6, on unrelated charges. About 400 miles away in Lexington, South Carolina, their 32-year-old father waived his first court appearance Friday because he is being “portrayed as a monster” and needs a mental health evaluation as soon as possible, his attorney said.
The children had stayed with their grandfather, Timothy Jones Sr., and his wife, Julie, in Amory in 2013 while the parents were going through a messy divorce. Their aunt, Jacqueline Sienkowski Jones, had been paid by Timothy Jr. to baby-sit the children, and she brought them to Vacation Bible School at the church.
“Merah, Elias, Nahtahn, Gabriel, and Elaine attended VBS here this July,” said pastor Phillip Hathcock. “They loved going to church and singing songs.”
Children’s songs were played at the memorial service, which was attended by a large crowd, including local and national media.
The church youth minister, Derrick Maranto, told the family and others that no one has all the answers to life.
“You are a part of a loving, caring and supporting town and church,” Maranto told the Jones family and extended members. “We want to help heal the hurts.”
Maranto then led in singing the song “Jesus Loves Me.”
“That song was sung by Merah, Elias, Nahtahn, Gabriel and Elaine at VBS this year,” Maranto said. “That song talks about the love of God and how big and strong He is.”
Maranto prayed for God to be with the family as they grieve and cry in dealing with their loss.
“These kids were last here in July,” said Hathcock. “Now the beauty of where they are is far superior to here.”
The memorial service was an emotional time for the Jones family. Uncle Danny Ray of Kentucky, a member of the Jones family, said the family had learned through the years to stick together in tough times, and this was a tough time.
“We can’t give an answer to why things happen,” Ray said. “We will never know why. When those calls come in and stories are printed and the garbage the world has to throw at us, we have to trust in Jesus.
“We have to love Timmy. Jesus loves him. We all have done wrong and need forgiveness at some time.”
Before the slideshow of the children, Maranto said the memorial service was to honor the lives of five children. He shared stories about each and gave a brief description of each one.
“Little kids are an example for us,” Maranto said. “Keep in your heart all the stories about them. Sorry this has happened. Just remember all the sweet and good things that have happened in the lives of these kids.”
A balloon ceremony was held on the lawn of the church after the memorial service. After hugging and visiting with people, Timothy Sr., released the first group of balloons.
Timothy Ray Jones Jr. has been served warrants charging him with killing his five children and was arraigned Friday. His attorney, Aimee Zmroczek, said, “he’s simply scared and wants someone to guide him through the process and that’s what the attorneys are doing.”
Mental illness was stated as a major concern, according to Zmroczek. She added he previously had been treated for mental health issues.
“Anyone charged with a crime is entitled to understanding, is entitled to representation and is entitled to an investigation and an understanding as to why and how things are done,” Zmroczek said.
Police believe Jones killed his five children Aug. 28 at the family home in Red Bank, South Carolina. He had custody of the children after his 10-year marriage ended in divorce last October.
With the bodies of his children in the car, Jones traveled from South Carolina, to North Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi before finally driving to Alabama, where he dumped the bodies, investigators said.
On Sept. 3, Jones’ former wife Amber reported the children and her ex-husband missing.
According to a child protective services assessment report filed Sept. 4 by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), a grandmother in Mississippi reported that the family was supposed to visit but never showed and she filed a missing persons report for Jones and the children.
As of Friday morning, Jones was held on suicide watch isolated from other prisoners in Lexington County Detention Center and will be transferred to Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina.
Magistrate Brian Jeffcoat set a Nov. 13 trial date for Jones.
–––––
Tim Flach of The State in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this story.