Sheriff: ‘No comment’ on drug involvement in toddler death, cites ongoing investigation

Published 2:10 pm Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Authorities are currently waiting on the autopsy results for Kaden Mallett, the 3-year-old found dead in a pond in Warren County on April 21, Sheriff Martin Pace said Wednesday.

Mallett’s mother, Brooke Mallett, 25, and her boyfriend John Duke Walker, 22, were each charged with first-degree murder and child neglect in the child’s death on the day the body was found. Earlier that morning, The sheriff’s office began a search for the three-year-old, who had been reportedly last seen near Stenson Road and Old Highway 27 around 9 to 10 a.m.

When asked if drugs were a factor in the child’s death, Pace said that the sheriff’s office did not have more details to release at this time, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month