Morristown man charged in death of teen foster child

Morristown man charged in death of teen foster child

By MELISSA DiPANE
6 News Anchor/Reporter

MORRISTOWN (WATE/AP) -- A Morristown man has been charged with reckless homicide following the death of a teen in foster care.

Hamblen County authorities say Jordan Shelton, 16, died after he was disciplined early Saturday by his foster father, Ken Taylor, who is a former bodybuilder.

Taylor, 53, was taken into custody Monday afternoon.

Hamblen County Sheriff Esco Jarnagan says the death of a teen  is "a tragedy that could have been avoided."

The sheriff's report says Taylor caught Shelton smoking and grounded him, then the teen attacked his foster father during an argument.

The report states Taylor grabbed Shelton and choked him to the ground to stop the fight, but when Taylor let the boy loose he was purple.

The report says Shelton was strangled.

An ambulance crew found Shelton unconscious when they arrived. He never regained consciousness and doctors withdrew life support later Saturday morning.

A Department of Children's Services (DCS) official says another foster child living with Taylor and his wife has been moved to another home.

The couple also has two sons of their own. They are staying with family.

According to DCS, Taylor and his wife have been foster parents since 2001. They passed a number of background checks and foster education courses.

Hamblen County records show Taylor was arrested for trespassing and vandalism in 1997, but those charges may have been dropped or expunged.

DCS has no record of any complaints.

DCS says they are conducting their own investigation. They also told 6 News they will pay for a portion of Shelton's funeral.  

Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday at Manes Funeral Home in Newport. An 11:00 a.m. funeral service will be held Wednesday in the chapel.

Burial will be at Stokely Baptist Cemetary in Newport.

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