Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced today that Jeffrey James Exon was bound over for trial this week in Shawnee County District Court Case 21-CR-615. Exon was charged in relation to the death of his daughter, which was reported in January of this year. On January 5, 2021, law enforcement was called to 3501 SW 10th at approximately 10:00 AM in reference to an unresponsive child. Upon arrival, law enforcement and first responders found Exon’s 2-year old daughter unresponsive, cold to the touch, with an appearance that she had been dead for several days. Exon was charged with four crimes: 1st Degree Murder, Committed During an Inherently Dangerous Felony (Off-Grid Felony); 2nd Degree Murder (Level 8 Felony); Aggravated Endangering a Child (Level 9 Felony); and Failure to Report the Death of a Child (Level 8 Felony). All of the charged crimes are alleged to have occurred between December 26, 2020 when the child was last seen alive, and January 5, 2021 when law enforcement was called.

The case came before the Court on June 17, 2021 for a preliminary hearing. The court heard evidence that day and the case was continued for additional testimony to be presented. Yesterday, August 26, 2021, the court heard the remainder of that evidence. At the conclusion of the hearing the court found probable cause that Exon committed all of the charged offenses and the case may proceed to trial. Kagay said that Exon remains in custody and his bond is set at $1,000,000. Exon will be before the Court next at 11:30 AM on September 8, 2021 for Arraignment.

The Topeka Police Department is handling the investigation into this matter. Anyone with information related to these crimes should report that information to law enforcement immediately. The charges are allegations of criminal conduct only. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.