A wave of national shock followed the Friday disclosure that a 3‑year‑old boy—never officially reported missing—had in fact been dead since January, his body buried by his own father, Rodkis Fenderson. Family members who had repeatedly asked after the child were given conflicting accounts by Fenderson and the boy’s step‑mother, Kierra Patrick, until investigators, acting on a tip, secured Fenderson’s confession and recovered the toddler’s remains. Both adults now face felony charges in what authorities describe as a premeditated cover‑up of child homicide.
Case Overview
The Silent Disappearance
Despite repeated inquiries from relatives, no missing‑person report was ever filed for the boy, who was last seen in late January. Neighbors and extended family grew alarmed when calls and messages went unanswered—yet each time they pressed Fenderson or Patrick for an explanation, they received a new story about the child’s whereabouts.
Family’s Desperate Inquiries
According to Scott County Sheriff Mike Lee, deputies received their first credible tip on Thursday, April 17, when a distant relative reported suspicions that the boy had not been living with the couple as claimed . Friends of the family said they had urged Fenderson to seek help or report the child missing, but were reassured instead that all was well.
Breakthrough Discovery
On Friday, after hours of questioning, Fenderson led deputies to a shallow grave north of Lake, Mississippi, where forensic teams from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, the MSU Anthropology Department, and the Mississippi Crime Scene Unit exhumed the boy’s body . It was determined he had died on January 26 following a fatal beating.
Details of the Crime
Beating and Burial
Detectives allege that Fenderson struck his son repeatedly inside their home before burying him in a wooded area behind the property . Throughout the ensuing months, Fenderson and Patrick told family members that the boy was living with other relatives or had been placed in foster care.
Recovery of the Remains
A multi‑agency response ensured the body was recovered with preservation of potential evidence. Crime‑scene technicians meticulously documented the grave site, while anthropologists from Mississippi State University assisted in confirming the child’s identity and cause of death
Law Enforcement Agencies Involved
The investigation was spearheaded by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, with technical support from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, MSU Anthropology, and the Mississippi Crime Scene Unit—underscoring the complexity and severity of the case.
Legal Proceedings
Charges Against Rodkis Fenderson
Fenderson, 29, has been charged with first‑degree murder for the January 26 beating and subsequent burial of his son . Under Mississippi law, first‑degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence upon conviction.
Charges Against Kierra Patrick
Patrick, 27, faces accessory after the fact charges for allegedly helping conceal the crime, providing false statements to relatives, and assisting in covering up the burial . She could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Potential Penalties
Convictions on these charges would result in decades behind bars for Fenderson and Patrick, with no eligibility for parole for the murder count—a reflection of the state’s strict stance on child homicides.
Profiles of the Parents
Rodkis Fenderson
Friends describe Fenderson as a quiet individual who worked intermittently in construction. Little is publicly known about his background, though neighbors recall seeing the couple’s young son playing outside their home in early January.
Kierra Patrick
Patrick, the boy’s step‑mother, had moved into the home six months earlier. She worked part‑time at a local daycare, and colleagues say she never mentioned any children in her care.
Community Shock and Response
Public Reaction
News of the case spread swiftly across Mississippi and beyond, with social‑media users expressing outrage and grief under hashtags like #JusticeForBaby. Local pastors and child‑advocacy groups have condemned the failure to report the child missing, calling it a systemic breakdown.
Child Welfare Concerns
Advocates argue this tragedy highlights gaps in the reporting system: a child can vanish without triggering a formal missing‑person alert if relatives are misled . Calls are mounting for mandatory wellness checks in cases where young children “disappear” from the public eye.
Calls for Reform
State legislators in Jackson have proposed emergency bills to require any unaccounted‑for minor absent from school, medical care, or family contact for more than 72 hours to be automatically reported missing.
Remembering the Child
Mourning and Memorials
Although the boy’s name has not been released, local churches have held candlelight vigils near the burial site, offering prayers for his soul and solidarity with grieving relatives.
Lessons for the Future
This heartbreaking case underscores the vital importance of vigilance, mandatory reporting, and community responsibility in safeguarding vulnerable children. As the legal process unfolds, neighbors and child‐safety experts alike hope it will spur lasting changes to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again.
