Authorities said on Tuesday that a man suspected of murdering his five children in South Carolina has been arrested. Following his capture, the suspect directed the police to the location of the bodies of his lifeless children. The victims were discovered individually wrapped in plastic bags.

Like Us on Facebook

In their preliminary report, investigators believe that the suspect drove to Alabama before discarding the bodies on a dirt road then fled to Mississippi. At present, the man is held in custody in Smith County, Mississippi. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation disclosed that they are currently awaiting the suspect's extradition to South Carolina.

Timothy Ray Jones, Jr., 32, has been arrested and charged with unlawful neglect by a legal custodian. In a statement from Lexington County, South Carolina, Sheriff Lewis McCarty, additional charges will be filed as the ongoing probe reveals more details.

Police arrested Jones on Saturday at a checkpoint located East of Raleigh, Mississippi. Authorities were then searching for impaired drivers when they came upon Jones who looked to be under the influence. The suspect immediately became distressed when questioned regarding an odor of chemicals emanating from his vehicle. Upon inspection, the deputy discovered chemicals believed to be used for the production of methamphetamine and 'Spice', a form of synthetic marijuana commonly sold as a street drug. Further scrutiny of the car revealed the presence of bleach, muriatic acid, blood, and other body fluids.

In a background check conducted by police, Jones was found to be wanted in South Carolina "regarding a welfare concern of his children". The five kids were also listed on a national missing persons list. This prompted the investigators and the FBI to launch a search for the missing children on Monday.  

The children's mother filed a report on their disappearance on September 3. The children were determined to be aged 1 to 8 years old. According to Wilcox County, Alabama, District Attorney Michael Jackson, the suspect possibly killed the children in South Carolina before dumping their bodies in a rural spot closet to Camden, Alabama. Interviews with the suspect's neighbors revealed that Jones informed them of the family's plan of moving to another state.

To date, no further information with respect to the manner of death of the children has been released by police. On Tuesday night, sheriff's officials disclosed that Lexington County Coroner Earl Wells was arranging for the autopsies and identification of the children's bodies. Spokesman Sgt. Steve Jarrett said in a news conference that investigators have yet to discover the motive of the suspect for driving through the state before dumping the bodies.