On Monday, Wichita police confirmed that the remains of a toddler found earlier this month, buried inside a cement structure in a residential home, were of Evan Brewer. The following day, the man in the center of the investigation of the deceased Kansas boy claimed he had nothing to do with the child’s death.
The Wichita Eagle reports that the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center positively identified the toddler’s remains as Evan, a little boy who had been missing for months, after his mother, Miranda Miller, allegedly hid him away from society and from his own father.
Evan was the grandson of former Wichita Mayor, Carl Brewer.
The crowd is growing for Evan Brewer's vigil. Nearly 100 people showed up to the location where his body was found. More at 10 on @KSNNews pic.twitter.com/YWtmxr0DCi
— Ashonti Ford KSN (@AshontiFordKSN) September 11, 2017
Stephen Bodine, 40, was arrested in September for on suspicion of aggravated assault and aggravated interference with parental custody. The arrest came days before Wichita officers found the remains of the toddler were found in a home that Bodine previously rented. Evan was the son of Bodine’s girlfriend, Miller, who’s also in jail on charges of suspicion of aggravated interference with parental custody
Earlier this month, the toddler’s father and stepmother went to Bodine’s rental home at 2037 South Vine in Wichita, looking for the boy. That’s when Bodine allegedly threatened to harm them, then popped their car tire with a hatchet.
Man at center of investigation into Evan Brewer's death says he didn't do it https://t.co/yJvhgtO8j7
— KAKE Greg Miller (@GregMillerTV) September 12, 2017
Bodine talked with KAKE News’ Deb Farris while sitting in a jail on Tuesday. He told her that he last saw Evan in May, but he refused to say where he saw the child.
The following is an excerpt of the interview provided by KAKE News.
Deb Farris: “Did you realize they found brewers body in Miranda Miller’s home?”
Bodine: “I saw that on the news.”
Deb Farris: “What did you think when you saw that?
Bodine: “Mix of things.”
Deb Farris: “For example?
Bodine: “I don’t have an answer for that.”
Deb Farris: “Did you kill Evan Brewer?”
Bodine: “No, I did not.”
Deb Farris: “Did Miranda?”
Bodine: “Not that I know of.”
When Farris questioned Bodine about the cement structure found at his former home, he abruptly ended the interview. Miller declined to talk.
Bodine and Miller are not currently charged with Evan’s death. However, that could possibly change once the cause of death is established. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
What You Need to Know
Kansas police are investigating previous tenants of a Wichita home after a landlord, cleaning out his previously-rented home, found the body of toddler boy on Saturday, who appeared to be around 3 years old.
The Wichita Eagle reports that the owner of the residence at 2037 South Vine in Wichita was cleaning out his home when came he across a concrete structure exuding a strong odor. Police arrived after the landlord reported the foul smell, and when authorities pulled the cement lid off, they found the little boy’s remains inside.
This is the first time we're learning more information about what the landlord found inside the home: https://t.co/DfIzPvNAkH
— Nichole Manna (@NicholeManna) September 13, 2017
Neighbors reported they didn’t know the previous tenants and never saw them with a child. Yet, they did see the couple come home one day to find dozens of flyers about a missing child attached to their vehicle with around 40 to 50 people standing outside the home, protesting.
“They were just saying, ‘Bring him home,’” said neighbor, Toni Freund.
The previous tenants, identified as Stephen Bodine, 40, and Miranda Miller, 36, were both arrested on unrelated charges. Bodine was arrested at the address in question on suspicion of aggravated assault and aggravated interference with parental custody, while Miller was arrested off of South Emporia on suspicion of aggravated interference with parental custody. The charges may be upgraded, pending an investigation to determine the child’s identity and cause of death.
Officer Charley Davidson indicated that although they likely know who the child is, they have to wait on official confirmation from the county medical examiner.
“We have a tentative identification on the child, but confirmation of the child’s identity is being coordinated through the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner.”
Meanwhile, authorities placed a warning sign on the residence, stating that the previous tenants would be prosecuted if they trespass onto the property.
“Pursuant to Court Order, entry onto these premises by MIRANDA RYAN MILLER, STEPHEN BODINE, or any person claiming by, through or under them is a criminal trespass for which you will be prosecuted.”
The missing flyer found on the previous tenants’ vehicle was for a 3-year-old boy named Evan Brewer, Miller’s son. Evan was reported missing on July 6, according to the Daily Haze. Miller apparently did not have custody of the child, and the boy’s father and stepmother had been desperately searching for him.
According to the child’s stepmother, Bodine threatened to “chop her up” when she and the child’s father went over to the home on South Vine, looking for Evan. She posted about the incident on Facebook on August 13.
“I knock on the door where my stepson was last seen (which is supposedly vacant) and this guy Stephen Bodine aka Bo yells thru the door and says he’s holding him hostage in the basement, threatens to “chop” me up “into little pieces” and proceeds to open the door, tries to attack with a hatchet, then busts our tire. I got it all on video and YES police were called. Please keep an eye out especially if you’re around the area of May St. And Vine near Pawnee and Seneca!!!”
**WARNING: Video Contains Graphic Language**
Additional Reading
Landlord finds toddler boy’s remains sealed into cement structure
Court docs reveal mother previously abused toddler boy found dead, sealed in concrete
[Feature Photo: Provided]
