Man Linked to Quitman Toddlers’ Deaths Has Bond Reduced

QUITMAN — A man allegedly involved in the deaths of two children had his bond lowered after the prosecution determined the suspect could not currently be convicted. According to KETK, documents from the 402nd Judicial District show Thomas J. Liles, Jr., had his bond lowered to $20,000 for each injury to a child by omission charge. He had been in the Wood County Jail on $1 million bond. Liles was arrested on July 24, 2014, by the Quitman Police Department for allegedly tampering with evidence. That same day, officers responded to reports of two young children who were not breathing. When authorities arrived, they found Gabriella Guerrero, 3, and Natalye Price, 1, dead. It was later determined they had died from blunt force trauma to the head and trunk in a homicide.

Multiple witnesses told officers that Liles, of Quitman, was seen running from the Dogwood Villa Apartments, where the two deaths occurred. They also reportedly saw the man throw a “large item” into a dumpster near the building. The items were consistent with having come from the children’s apartment, said police. Child Protective Services spokeswoman Shari Pulliam said her agency previously investigated the children’s living conditions. Liles was indicted September 3 and was released from the Wood County Jail October 1 on $50,000 bond. He was later arrested again on November 19 for injury to a child. The mother, Daphne Elizabeth McDaniels, was also taken into custody in November and charged with two counts of capital murder.