Bond set at $100,000 each for parents of 2-year-old who shot himself

Tabitha and Phillip Ashley, both of Benton
Tabitha and Phillip Ashley, both of Benton

A Saline County judge Wednesday set bond at $100,000 each for the parents charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of their 2-year-old child.

Tabitha Ashley, 23, and Phillip Ashley, 27, both of Benton, were arrested Monday after police were called about 1:35 p.m. Nov. 17 to a shooting at the couple's residence at 812 Nelson Court.

Their son, Blayden, fatally shot himself, according to police. He was transported to Conway Regional Medical Center before being transported to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, where he was pronounced dead later that day.

In a court affidavit, Tabitha said she was in the bathroom when she heard a gunshot in the living room of her house, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. Blayden was then found lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to his face, and a .45-caliber handgun was found next to him, according to the affidavit.

During the Ashleys' first court appearance, District Judge Mike Robinson also ordered that Tabitha and Phillip have no contact with anyone under the age of 18.

The Ashleys did not speak during Wednesday's hearing as they appeared on video from the Saline County jail.

Tabitha's mother, Chastity Drennon, and aunt, Joanna Coffman, appeared before Robinson to request that bond be set at an amount that would allow Tabitha to attend Blayden's funeral Friday.

After bond was set at $100,000, the family members again made a plea for a lower bond amount.

Tabitha and Phillip were also charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor relating to their 6-year-old daughter, who was in the house at the time of the shooting.

The couple will appear in court at 1 p.m. Jan. 5 for their next appearance.

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