The stepmother of missing Colorado boy, Gannon Stauch, is on her way back to Colorado to face murder charges.
According to online jail records, Letecia “Tecia” Stauch was released from the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County, South Carolina, at 2:33 p.m. on Tuesday. Hours earlier, she waived extradition and agreed to be taken back to Colorado, where she’s been charged with the disappearance and presumed death of her stepson, Gannon.
During her Tuesday morning court hearing in Horry County, South Carolina, Stauch told Horry County Judge Clifford L. Welsh that she hadn’t been given the chance to obtain an attorney before deciding whether to waive the extradition process.
“I’ve never been given the opportunity, since the beginning, to even call my attorneys to talk to them about any of these things,” Stauch said.
WATCH: Letecia Stauch court appearance
WATCH: Letecia Stauch is making her first appearance via video before a judge in South Carolina. She was arrested yesterday on suspicion of murdering stepson Gannon Stauch. (Note: This is raw feed from sister station WMBF. Slight audio issues may be due to reception in courtroom.)https://www.kktv.com/content/news/Sheriffs-Office-searching-for-missing-11-year-old-boy-567360661.html
Posted by KKTV 11 News on Tuesday, March 3, 2020
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Deborah Mynatt confirmed with CrimeOnline that Stauch is in transit to Colorado.
Stauch is facing a first-degree murder charge, along with charges of child abuse, tampering with evidence and tampering with a deceased body.
Stauch previously told CrimeOnline that she never hurt Gannon and had no idea where to find him. Stauch was the last known person to see Gannon before he vanished on January 27. She said he left by foot for a friend’s house in the Lorson Ranch neighborhood near Colorado Springs.
On Monday, authorities announced that they do not believe Gannon is alive. They said foul play was likely involved.
Check back for updates.
Additional Coverage
PART ONE: Tecia Stauch Interview
PART TWO: Tecia Stauch Interview
PART THREE: Tecia Stauch Interview
CLICK HERE to see all of our coverage on Gannon Stauch
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[Feature Photo: Tecia Stauch/Police Handout; Gannon Stauch/Handout]