5-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in Septic Tank; Parents Charged in Virginia

The parents of a five-year-old boy who was found dead in a septic tank were arraigned on felony child abuse and neglect charges in Pulaski Country, Virginia, on Friday.

Paul Thomas, 32, and Ashley White, 30, were arraigned via teleconference from the New River Valley Regional Jail for the death of their son Noah, whose body was found in a septic tank last March 26 after five days of searching.

The parents objected to the presence of members of the media who were in the Wytheville Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court where the arraignment was held, according to The Roanoke Times.

"This is the saddest thing that's ever happened to me in my life," White was quoted as saying. "I don't feel people should be able to enjoy it over dinner."

Thomas said, "I don't want my life to be their news story."

Judge Bradley Dalton allowed the media in the room.

After Noah went missing on March 22, authorities took away Thomas' six-month-old daughter Abigail.

Thomas is accused of "reckless disregard for human life," which carry a minimum prison sentence of one year up to five years.

White faces the same charges and "serious injuries" that carry a punishment of two to 10 years.

"During the fifth day of this mission, Noah's body was recovered in the septic system. No tips or calls led the law enforcement authorities or search and rescue teams to drain the septic system," said Pulaski County Sheriff Jim Davis, according to a report by WDBJ7, after the couple were arrested.

"The search ended tragically with the discovery of Noah. The investigation and cause of his death and circumstances surrounding it are our priority at this time," Davis said.

The preliminary hearing for the couple has been set to Aug. 12 at the Pulaski County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.