Watch CBS News

Suspect In Deaths Of Kids Found In Canal Has No Attorney

WEST PALM BEACH (CBS4) - The man police call their only suspect in the deaths of two children whose bodies were found in a Delray Beach canal appeared in court Friday waving and smiling to his grandmother.

Thirty-four-year-old Clem Beauchamp made his court appearance Friday morning on a federal gun charge. West Palm Beach Police say Beauchamp is their prime suspect in the deaths of two children whose bodies were stuffed in luggage and thrown into a canal.

He appeared in court for a few minutes, telling a judge he still had not secured an attorney.

Beauchamp appeared happy to see his grandmother, Doris Haynes. Outside court, Haynes defended Beauchamp and said she couldn't "imagine that he could have killed" the children.

He's being held without bail on three unrelated federal gun charges.

Beauchamp is also a suspect in the death of the children's mother, Felicia Brown. Her body was found earlier this year as well.

Brown went missing in August 2010. Neighbors told police that when they asked where she was, Beauchamp would tell them that she was in jail.

According to DCF, after their mother's disappearance Jermaine and Ju'Tyra continued living with Beauchamp in his home while attending Pine Grove Elementary. The last day the children were seen in school was February 18.

Less than 2 weeks later, the bodies of Jermaine and Ju'Tyra were found stuffed inside a suitcase and a duffel bag in a canal a short distance from their home.

Beauchamp has not been charged in the children's deaths, or the death of Brown.

When Beauchamp last was in court, a judge denied him bail and refused to grant him a public defender.

Federal authorities said Brown was working with them against Beauchamp, and that may have led to his problems with Brown.

Brown and her children were laid to rest Saturday at Delray Beach Memorial Gardens, following a memorial service at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Boynton Beach.

Click here for more stories related to this case.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.