US dad to be charged with murder in 5 kids’ deaths

A view of the home of Timothy Ray Jones is shown, in Redbank, S.C. Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014. Authorities expect to charge Jones in connection with the deaths of his five children after he led officers to a secluded clearing in Alabama where their bodies lay wrapped in individual garbage bags. Police in South Carolina and Mississippi say Jones Jr. has been charged with child neglect and that police expect to lodge additional charges against him. AP

LEXINGTON, South Carolina—Officials say a man will be charged with murder in the deaths of his five children after he led officials to a secluded clearing in faraway Alabama where their bodies lay wrapped in individual garbage bags.

Acting Sheriff Lewis McCarty of Lexington County said Wednesday at a news conference that Timothy Ray Jones Jr. of South Carolina would be charged with five counts of murder when he arrives in South Carolina. Jones has been charged with child neglect and is awaiting extradition to South Carolina from Mississippi. He has been jailed there since Saturday on a drunken-driving charge.

McCarty says autopsies have been set up to begin Thursday. He says he’s unsure when they will be finished, and officials won’t comment on any causes of death until then.

McCarty says the children’s mother, Jones’ ex-wife, is in shock and distraught. The children were ages 1 to 8.