NASHVILLE, KENTUCKY: Durrell Howard, the elder brother of Jayden and Maurice, the two young boys tragically shot dead by their mother Tiffanie Lucas in Kentucky, revealed that several family members had reached out to child protective services over the years to voice their concerns.
He now regrets he "should have done more" as far as just "snatching" them to save his younger siblings.
What are the charges against Tiffanie Lucas?
Tiffanie Lucas, a 32-year-old mother, has been charged with two counts of murder in the shocking deaths of Jayden, 9, and Maurice, 6, who were discovered with gunshot wounds in their Shepherdsville home.
Lucas displayed no emotion during her court appearance and was subsequently ordered to be held on a $2 million bond, WLKY reported.
She also had a prior one-month incarceration due to a drug possession conviction.
Howard claimed that family members had contacted child protective services repeatedly to express their concerns about Lucas.
"We wanted them. We would have taken them with open arms. We loved them so much," Howard expressed.
However, he did not elaborate on whether any actions were taken by authorities in response to their concerns.
He added, "I should have done more. If it came to me snatching the boys out of the house, I should have, and I will hold that on my back for the rest of my life — for both of those boys."
A neighbor, Steve Steier, expressed his heartfelt sorrow and hope for justice, saying, "It just breaks my heart, and I hope she gets what’s coming to her."
Remembering last moments with Jayden and Maurice
The tragedy deepened following the death of Jayden and Maurice's shared father in 2019.
Howard became even more involved in their lives during this challenging time. When asked what he would say to his mother, Howard responded, "You scarred everybody with this one. You scarred everybody with this."
He recalled the last joyful moments he spent with Jayden and Maurice known as 'Peanut,' playing a simple card game.
“We just played a card game, just a card game. It was as simple as that and we had the best time. The best time ever,” said Howard.
Howard's reflection extended to his belief that his brothers are now together and reunited with their late father.
“I just know Jayden and Peanut they’re together. And I know our father was probably waiting on them, waiting on both of them,” Howard claimed.
Col Alex Payne, chief deputy with the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office, has acknowledged the challenges faced by law enforcement in such cases.
“Whether you think it’s mental illness, just pure evil, a combination of both, it could be substance abuse, any combination thereof. Pick your poison. None of it’s good. The result is horrific,” the deputy said.
