Two Defendants Charged with Felony Murder, Child Abuse, Animal Cruelty

MACON, Ga. - U.S. Attorney William R. "Will" Keyes today announced that a federal grand jury has returned an eight-count indictment charging a couple with allegedly starving their son to death and abusing their pets, causing the death of one of their dogs.

The federal indictment in Case No. 4:26-CR-00011, filed on July 15, charges the following individuals:

Emma Bradshaw, 22, of Carson City, Nevada, and Ladarrion McCray, 23, of Valdosta, Georgia, are both charged with one count of felony murder by child abuse; one count of cruelty to children in the first degree; one count of making false statements; one count of animal crushing; one count of aggravated animal cruelty; and two counts of animal cruelty. They each face a maximum of life in prison.

The defendants will have their initial appearances at times determined by the Court.

According to the indictment and statements made in court, the defendants are alleged to have willfully deprived their son of necessary sustenance between Jan. 14 and Jan. 28, which jeopardized the child's health and well-being, resulting in the death of their child on Jan. 28. At the time of the alleged conduct, both defendants were residing in housing on Fort Benning. McCray was an active-duty soldier who had recently been transferred to Fort Benning. Bradshaw joined McCray on post shortly after his arrival. At the time Bradshaw arrived at Fort Benning, she was pregnant with their child.

Bradshaw and McCray allegedly abused their three dogs, a female dachshund, a male hound, and a female doberman, by failing to provide adequate food, water, sanitary conditions, and ventilation. On Jan. 28, 2026, members of CID executed a search warrant at the residence the defendants shared on post. While executing that search warrant, they located two dogs, the male hound and female doberman, who appeared severely malnourished. The third dog, the dachshund, was located deceased in a trash barrel outside of the home. The two surviving animals were brought to an animal shelter on Fort Benning, where medical evaluation revealed they were experiencing severe malnourishment and significant muscle wasting. A necropsy was conducted on the dachshund, which concluded the animal died of starvation.

Bradshaw and McCray are accused of lying to the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division special agents by claiming their child showed no signs of illness before his death. They also allegedly told investigators that their Dachshund died from illness and was buried at a park off Fort Benning. However, the indictment alleges both knew their son was suffering from severe malnourishment prior to his death, and that the dog's remains were placed in a garbage bag and disposed of in the household trash near their residence. McCray is currently subject to discharge proceedings to remove him from military service as a result of the alleged conduct.

The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the case. Deputy Criminal Chief Veronica Hansis is prosecuting the case for the Government.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.