Background: Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. (Google Maps). Inset (left): Devin Bemis (Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office). Inset (right): Grayson Bemis (Downing & Lahey Mortuaries).
Devin Bemis, aged 33, has been indicted for the murder of his 5-month-old son, Grayson Bemis. This charge was added on May 20, as detailed in updated court documents, after Bemis’ initial arrest on January 26 for alleged abuse against Grayson and his twin brother, Elijah. The babies were only 2 months old at the time of the alleged incidents.
Tragically, Grayson succumbed to his injuries on April 26, as noted in his obituary.
Details from court records, reported by local ABC station KAKE, reveal that police responded to a distress call at Bemis’ residence on January 21 at approximately 1:30 p.m. The call concerned a 2-month-old child who was unresponsive. First responders administered CPR to Grayson, who was initially in extremely critical condition, though his status was later updated to critical.
A few days after the incident, Bemis was implicated by police in inflicting “great bodily harm, abusive head trauma, permanent disability or disfigurement” on Grayson, as well as abusing Elijah. Consequently, he was charged with two counts of child abuse and placed in Sedgwick County Jail with a $1 million bond, which was reduced to $400,000 in February. Bemis remains in custody.
Days later, Bemis was accused by police of causing “great bodily harm, abusive head trauma, permanent disability or disfigurement” to his then-2-month-old son. He was also accused of abusing Elijah. Bemis was charged with two counts of child abuse and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on $1 million bond. In February, his bond was reduced to $400,000. He remains in custody.
Three months after his arrest, KAKE reported that a judge denied Bemis’ request to leave jail to have “one last visit at Wesley Medical Center” on April 24. Grayson died two days after that request was denied.
On May 20, an amended criminal complaint was filed to include a charge of first-degree murder in connection with Grayson’s death. Online jail records did not reflect the charge.
Bemis is scheduled to appear in court on June 12.
