Texas couple charged after body of special needs son was found buried in a shallow grave in their backyard

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - A Texas couple was arrested in connection with the de@th of their adult son who had special needs after a camera seemingly caught the mother saying “it was all me”.

December Marie Mitchell and Jonathan James Mitchell were arrested on charges of tampering/fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair a human corpse in connection with the de@th of 26-year-old Jonathan Kinman, according to an Oct. 20 Burleson Police Department press release. 

The case came to light on Tuesday, Oct. 14, when officers responded to a welfare check for Kinman, who was identified as having special needs, at a home he shared with December and his stepfather Jonathan Mitchell on White Oak Lane in Burleson. 

“During the welfare check, information was shared indicating that Kinman might be deceased and possibly buried in the backyard of the residence,” the press release states.

After the welfare check, the couple was arrested. 

Authorities returned to the home the following day and found Kinman buried in a shallow grave in the backyard. His body was transported to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. An autopsy was performed on Oct. 16.

According to a search warrant affidavit obtained by WFAA, Kinman was wrapped in a camouflage blanket when he was discovered.

According to the affidavit, as cadaver dogs searched the house, police video captured Kinman’s mother in a patrol car seemingly telling her husband, “The dog was going to find him on me … it was all me … that dog was going to find him.” 

Police said the autopsy results are pending, and a cause of de@th has not yet been determined. 

The couple are each being held on a $250,000 bond.