Editor's Note: In our 10/15/25 print edition, the wrong article was published under the headline "Five Arrested After Toddler Shot in Newton County". The following is the corrected version. We apologize for the mistake.
The Newton County Sheriff Department and Mississippi Bureau of Investigation are currently investigating an incident that occurred inside the county where a toddler was shot in the leg back in September. Since opening the investigation, five people have been arrested.
In an Oct. 7 press release, Sheriff Joedy Pennington said that his department was made aware by a local hospital on Oct. 3 that a two-year-old had received a gunshot wound to the leg. After launching the investigation, it was determined that the incident occurred on Sept. 16, 2025. According to Pennington, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
During the course of the investigation, the following persons have been charged:
Jaycob Boykin, from Enterprise, charged with child neglect, child abuse, and tampering with evidence. (Bond $50,000)
Sylvania Wiltcher, from Brandon, charged with child neglect and hindering prosecution. (Bond $50,000)
Katelyn Carmichael, from Meridian, charged with child neglect. (Bond $15,000)
Gregory Palmer, from Decatur, charged with child neglect. (Bond $15,000)
Robert Dearing II, from Meridian, charged with child neglect (Bond $15,000)
Pennington added that all persons have had an initial appearance before a Justice Court Judge, and the investigation continues.
