A Georgia mother requested a bond reduction during a court hearing earlier this week, as she and her boyfriend face charges for the death of their 6-month-old son—who was found dead last June in a hotel freezer.
Per The Dothan Eagle, Amanda Gail Oakes, 36, is facing manslaughter and abuse of a corpse charges in connection with the death of Carlton James Oakes. Alabama police reportedly discovered the infant’s body on June 4 at InTown Suites while executing a search warrant; they believe it was stowed in a freezer for five to six days.
Citing Dothan police, the newspaper reported that Amanda and her boyfriend, Carlton James Mathis, 28, fled Georgia with their son as Mathis was wanted on burglary and parole violation charges. At some point, Amanda reportedly returned to Georgia to get her teenage daughter, leaving the baby in Alabama with Mathis.
While en route back to Alabama, Mathis informed Amanda that their son was dead, according to The Eagle. Mathis has since been charged with the infant’s murder.
On June 1, Dothan police said they received a tip indicating the Amanda and Mathis were in the area with their son, who was possibly dead. It was on June 4 when authorities reportedly found the couple—sans son—in Bronson, Florida, leading to a standoff that required SWAT intervention.
Authorities said a SWAT team member shot Mathis four times when he entered a vehicle and placed the weapon to the driver’s head. Following their arrest, police said they obtained information from the couple that led them to the infant’s body.
Amanda is currently being held on $400,000 bail: $250,000 on the manslaughter charge and $150,000 on the abuse of a corpse charge. Her attorney requested a bail reduction on Monday, noting that his client has yet to be indicted by a grand jury.
Mathis remains jailed on multiple charges in Levy County, Florida. Dothan police issued a hold for him following his possible release.
[Featured Image: Amanda Gail Oakes, Carlton James Mathis/Dothan Police Department]
