A Georgia sheriff's office says the bodies of two children have been found buried behind a Guyton home.
The bodies of 14-year-old Mary Crocker and her brother, Elwyn Crocker Jr., were found buried in the wood line near their home. Elwyn Crocker was about to turn 16 years old.
A third child with special needs was found in the home and believed to be OK. He was transported to the hospital for observation, WSAV reported.
Mary and Elwyn’s biological father, Elwyn Crocker Sr., 49, stepmother Candice Crocker, 33, and step-grandmother Kim Wright, 50, have all been charged with concealing the death of another and cruelty to children in the first degree.
Roy Anthony Prater, 55, has also been arrested and charged with concealing the death of another, cruelty to children in the first degree and possession of a scheduled or controlled substance.
According to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO), Prater is the boyfriend of Kim Wright.
Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said deputies were called to the home Wednesday night after police received a tip that a 14-year-old was missing and feared dead, WSAV reported.
Bodies of two teens found buried behind Guyton home
"How sick can someone be to hurt a child?" asked neighbor Ruth Sikes. "If you don't want a child, and you got 'em and you don't want 'em, give them up. Don't do it this way. It's wrong."
Deputies arrived at the girl's home and were told conflicting stories about how she lived elsewhere. Mary hasn't been seen since October, and the younger Elwyn hasn't been seen since November 2016. Neither was reported missing.
Investigators questioned everyone in the home and said they lied about Mary's whereabouts, stating that she went to live with her mother.
When deputies returned to the home early Thursday, they discovered Mary's body buried just feet away from her home. Elwyn's body was found nearby.
"I've been doing this for 41 years. And a while ago, I almost broke down in tears," said Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie. "I just can't understand how you do children like this. Horrible."
Investigators are still on the scene and said more charges could be filed after the teens' autopsies are released. It is unclear at this time how the children were killed.
At last check, authorities were still trying to notify the teens' biological mother, who is thought to be in South Carolina.