Dent County Couple Accused of Starving Adopted Child to Death in Court This Week

(Salem) A couple from Dent County, accused of killing their 10-year-old stepchild, was in court this week at the courthouse in Salem.

51-year-old Randall and 44-year-old Susan Abney are both charged with second degree murder and abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death.

Both pled not guilty to the charges on Monday.

Randall’s next court appearance will be May 24th.

Susan’s attorney has asked for a change in venue for her case.

Her next court date will be March 22nd.

The Abney’s were arrested on October 3rd of 2020 at their rural home located between Salem and Boss after police found young Josie Ann Abney
in an extreme starving condition.

She died the next day from severe cachexia and protein calorie malnutrition according to the autopsy.

Josie weighed only 34-pounds.

Police say they found a lock on the refrigerator with food in the cupboards out of the child’s reach.

The child only had a mattress to sleep on, there was a lock on the reverse side of her bedroom door and an alarm on top of the door.

And in the Abney’s bedroom, there were hidden stashes of cookies, brownies, snack bars and candy.

The Abney’s adopted Josie in 2013.