Police have charged the parents of Noah Thomas, the 5-year-old Virginia boy whose body was found in the septic tank at his home, with abuse and neglect.
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ashley Jennifer White, 30, and Paul Raymond Thomas, 32, Thursday and the charges for their care of Noah and his sister, Abigail Thomas.
“These charges are based on the information and evidence that we have at the time,” Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Fleenor
told the The Southwest Times. “The cause of death will be critical evidence in this case. At this point, we don’t know what it is.”
Sheriff Jim Davis told the Times that autopsy results won’t be available for several weeks, and they will “reveal the ultimate cause of young Noah’s death.”
Noah’s mother reported him missing March 22, telling police she took a nap and when she awoke he was gone. His body was found on March 26 in the septic tank of his Dublin, Virginia, home.
Abigail Thomas was removed from her parents’ care the day after Noah’s body was found, the Times said.
Authorities declined to give details about the charges filed.
On Wednesday, Noah was remembered at his funeral as a friendly boy who wanted to be a farmer when he grew up and whose favorite food was birthday cake.
“The thing that’s most unforgettable about him is his smile,”
Noah’s aunt, Mandy Worley, told the Roanoke Times. “When he smiled, it lit up his whole face. It was happy and innocent and it was boyish. It made you feel loved and happy.”
Spider-Man kites and balloons surrounded Noah’s blue casket, the newspaper said.