Lexington County, SC (WLTX) - The bodies of five missing children from Lexington County have been found in Alabama, after law enforcement officials say their father confessed to killing them.
The remains were discovered around 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time in Wilcox County, Alabama. It's not clear yet how the children died.
The children's father, Timothy Ray Jones Jr., was arrested last Saturday in Raleigh, Mississippi at a driver's license checkpoint.
Smith County, Mississippi Sheriff Charlie Crumpton says Jones appeared to be under the influence when officers inspected his vehicle, and they also noted an odor of chemicals coming from his Cadillac Escalade. Deputies found what they believe are the chemicals used to make meth, and a synthetic form of marijuana.
Officers also found what appeared to be bleach, muriatic acid, blood, and possible body fluids in the car.
When deputies ran Jones tags after his arrest, they got a hit in the missing person's database about the children. He was then arrested for DUI and possession of a controlled substance, and deputies in Smith County called South Carolina officials.
Lexington County deputies, along with State Law Enforcement Division and FBI agents, then traveled to Mississippi to take part in the investigation.
Crumpton says Jones confessed to officers late Monday night, and led them to where the bodies were, which was an area 10 miles east of Camden, Alabama. The bodies were found in five separate garbage bags, Crumpton says.
Officers say they have not yet determined a motive.
The children's mother reported the children--who are between the ages of one and eight--missing back on September 3rd. According to officers, the mother, who's divorced from Jones, said she had been unable to contact her ex-husband.
The husband is the children's primary legal guardian. Neighbors told deputies that Jones said he was moving with his children from his home near Lexington to another state.
Lexington County Sheriff Lewis McCarty says charges are pending against Jones. The county coroner is working to transport the remains back to Lexington County to be positively identified.
