A plea agreement has been reached in the death of a newborn baby.
Last fall, Sofia Elizabeth Dyson, now 20, and James Allen Matthew Brown, now 20, of Locust Grove, were charged in the death of an infant. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported it was made aware of the infant’s death in mid-November, but further investigation revealed the child had been born at home July 27 and killed immediately after. The baby was disposed of in a trashcan in the parking lot of a local retailer.
In May, an Orange County Grand Jury certified two charges against Dyson–first degree murder and concealing a dead body, and two charges against Brown–wilfully conspiring to defile a dead body and concealing a dead body. The jury also added charges via direct indictment including one count each of conspiring to commit first degree murder and abusing a child resulting in serious injury for Dyson and first degree murder, conspiring to commit first degree murder and abusing a child resulting in serious injury for Brown.
In court late last month, Dyson pleaded guilty to second degree murder of the male infant. In summarizing the evidence in the case, Orange County Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Russel Henderson said Dyson was living in the basement of a friend’s home with Brown, her then-boyfriend, when she became pregnant. She unsuccessfully attempted to induce a miscarriage and concealed the pregnancy, making no purchases in preparation for the child. She gave birth in that same basement, cut and preserved the umbilical cord, named the child Dean, took a photo of him and prints of his feet before placing her hands over his mouth and nose, smothering him. Henderson said the child lived for no more than five minutes.
According to Henderson, Brown helped Dyson clean up from the birth, before driving her to a nearby 7-11 where they attempted to dispose of the child in a trash can along with bloody rags. When the body was too large, they then went to Walmart and disposed of the infant.
For his part in the events, Brown pleaded guilty to concealing a dead body and conspiracy to commit murder. Henderson said Brown’s role in the murder was harder to pin down. In early November 2024, when Dyson was seen getting into a vehicle with another male, Brown admitted to someone that the baby had not been stillborn, but rather was murdered by Dyson. He said the child was his son and at first denied involvement, stating he had slept through the entire birth. However, Henderson said evidence would have shown that Brown was awake and active on his phone during that time. Henderson also said at first Dyson minimized Brown’s involvement, later admitting to that and saying he refused to transport her to a hospital and was awake and touching her as she smothered the child.
The two pleas were made as part of conditional plea agreements. Defense attorneys James Herring and Amy Harper had previously filed motions to suppress or exclude evidence obtained in a search warrant of the home where Dyson and Brown had been living. As per the plea agreements, the defendants could exercise their right to appeal related to those denied motions and should the appellate court agree, they can then withdraw their pleas.
Per the agreement, Dyson faces a minimum sentence of 12 years and five months up to 21 years and four months. Brown faces a maximum of 15 years. The remaining charges were nol prossed. Pre-sentencing evaluations have been ordered with sentencing scheduled for Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
