Tennessee Man Charged Manslaughter After Nephew Found Dead Mississippi

Seventeen-year-old Caden Cantrelle died while in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS), after being allowed a two-day visit with his uncle, Victor Jerome Carver III, who has since been charged with manslaughter. Caden's body was found in Jasper County, Mississippi, a day after he was reported missing following the visit. His guardian ad litem, Stacie Odeneal, criticized the system for permitting the visit despite Carver’s significant criminal history, including a past guilty plea for attempted aggravated assault, and noted that the uncle never reported Caden missing or sought emergency assistance. Authorities located Caden’s body after his phone last pinged in Jasper County, leading to Carver’s arrest in Tennessee. Additional charges against Carver may be forthcoming, and he is scheduled to appear before a Wayne County judge. DCS has not yet responded to inquiries about the investigation into Caden’s death.