CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Cheyenne Dawn Maddox, charged with the neglect and murder of her disabled, 13-year-old son, took the stand Thursday and told the jury she was innocent of the charge, and that she loved Kadaris and all of her children. “I didn’t murder my son,” she said.
On July 6, 2022, EMS responded to a call in the Maddox home, where they found the body of Kadaris Maddox. The autopsy report states that his death was the result of malnutrition. Cheyenne Maddox was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child neglect.
During her jury trial that began this week, Cheyenne took the stand Thursday afternoon to offer the jury some insight into her life, the years she spent with Kadaris, and the days leading up to his death.
Disability caused by birth complications
Cheyenne, her voice low, explained that she gave birth to Kadaris when she was 18 years old, and her son had complications during birth. During the 16-hour labor, Kadaris got stuck in the birth canal and suffered three brain bleeds. As a result, he never hit milestones, but she loved him all the same.
According to her testimony, they had only lived in the house on Virginia Terrace for 24 hours before Kadaris died.
“Did you murder Kadaris because he was a burden?” Cheyenne’s attorney, Chase Smith, asked her.
“I didn’t murder my son,” Cheyenne replied. “I loved my son. I love all my kids.”
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Assistant District Attorney Mary O’Connor asked a series a questions about what a good mother is: raises their child, talks to them, plays with them and comforts them. “A good mom calls the doctor when they think there’s a medical issue? And a good mom feeds their child and makes sure their child is getting enough food?”
To each question, Cheyenne responded ‘Yes.’
“Why was KD so thin?” O’Connor asked, to which Cheyenne replied that, like her pediatrician previously testified, Kadarius’ body was so overstimulated from his cerebral palsy, he burned twice as many calories.
“So why did his weight decline from 47 pounds to 35 pounds at death?” O’Connor continued. “Whose responsibility is it to feed Kadaris?”
“Mine and the nurses,” Cheyenne answered. However, O’Connor reminded her that there wasn’t a nurse from June 2 to July 6 and asked again the question again. This time, Cheyenne stated, “Me.”
Timeline leading up to death of Kadaris Maddox
As the trial progressed this week, the jury heard testimony from 17 witnesses. Based on the numerous perspectives, court documents, and cellphone data, a potential timeline of events could be pieced together. This timeline is from testimony, and various facts may be in dispute by either side.
- Dec. 21, 2020: Dr. Gary Griffieth, pediatrician, saw Kadaris for a well-child visit and exam. Kadaris weighed 47 pounds at age 11 and was referred to a dietician.
- Dec. 23, 2021: Kadaris visited a dietician at Vanderbilt who sent a referral back to the pediatrician for Ensure. Kathy Griffieth, pediatric nurse, texted Cheyenne regarding the referral from the dietician and asked for Kadaris weight. Cheyenne texted back “38 pounds,” to which Kathy replied, “Are you sure?”
- Jan. 2022: Myesha Mays, a home nurse with Maxim Healthcare, began taking care of Kadaris.
- April-May, 2022: Mays began documenting incidents where she found Kadaris lying in the tub at the start of her shift. Mays submitted a report to Child Protection Services.
- May 11, 2022: Cheyenne texted Mays venting that someone reported her to CPS.
- May 30-June 3, 2022: Home Health missed visit form states that Cheyenne cancelled due to wanting a permanent nurse, not a temporary. All forms state this reason, and were all filed on July 25.
- June 1, 2022: Mays left the Maddox home early due to an emergency at around noon. At 4 p.m., she drove back by and noticed Cheyenne’s car was gone. Mays called police after realizing Kadaris was there alone. That was her last shift with Kadaris before she and her husband moved out of state.
Family calls for welfare check
- June 3, 2022: Tabitha Humphreys, Cheyenne’s aunt, received a video of Kadaris from a family member, allegedly taken sometime in May. It showed a thin-looking Kadaris on the floor. She called police for welfare check.
- June 4, 2022: At around midnight, a CPD officer conducted the welfare check. Bodycam footage showed Cheyenne answering the door and the officer asking if she had a 12-year-old boy in the home. A boy came to the door and spoke with the officer who asked if he was all right. The officer left without asking the boy’s name. During testimony, the officer admitted not knowing what cerebral palsy was when he received the welfare check.
- Humphreys contacts Department of Children’s Services for welfare check.
- June 5, 2022: A DCS representative arrived and found nothing of concern. During testimony, the worker admitted not knowing what cerebral palsy was when she recieved the welfare check.
- June 6, 2022: Cheyenne texted Humphreys confronting her about reporting her to police and CPS.
- June 10, 2022: Humphreys demanded pictures of Kadaris, and Cheyenne texted: “The police and DCS said he was good for the last year.”
- June 6-June 10, June 13-June 17, and June 27-July 1, 2022: Home Health missed visits.
Moving and Kadaris’ death
- July 1, 2022: Utilities on Newman Drive were turned off and Virginia Terrace utilities turned on.
- July 3-July 8, 2022: Home Health missed visit.
- July 5, 2022: The Maddox family moved in at Virginia Terrace.
- July 6, 2022:
- About 8:30 a.m., Cheyenne gave Kadaris orange juice, took two children to daycare, and visited a nearby McDonald’s, leaving Kadaris with two of the children.
- 11:30 a.m.: Cheyenne texted a friend, “Hey, I’m kid-free today if you want to hang.”
- Cheyenne and remaining children returned home and looked for missing dogs that escaped.
- At about 1 p.m., Kadaris was found deceased by Cheyenne.
- July 25, 2022: All Home Health missed visit forms are filed.
Jury begins deliberations
The jury received instructions Thursday and began deliberations at about 3:40 p.m. Just after 5 p.m., they decided to stop for the day. Jury deliberations will continue Friday morning.
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