Send us a text In this powerful episode, we uncover the devastating story of Zoe McCue, a 10-year-old girl from Loganville, Georgia, whose life ended in tragedy on Easter Sunday 2022. What started as a house fire quickly revealed a horrifying pattern of abuse, neglect, and isolation that Zoe had endured for years. As we piece together the details of Zoe’s short life, we expose the warning signs that went unheeded and the failures of the system meant to protect her. This episode will take you thr...
Nov 03, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Send us a text In this true crime podcast episode, Kelley interviews Brea Glosson, a childhood friend of Tyler McMillan, a 13-year old boy from Macclesfield, North Carolina, who was abused by his parents, tied to a tree, and subsequently died 2 days later. They discuss her memories of Tyler, their involvement in a homeschool group, and the circumstances around his murder. Brea provides a great perspective not only on Tyler's memory, but on homeschooling and the laws that exist, and the laws that...
Nov 03, 2024•59 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Send us a text In this episode, we delve into the tragic story of Tyler Gene McMillan, a young boy from North Carolina whose life was cut short in 2008 under shocking circumstances. Tyler's death raised questions about discipline, abuse, and the responsibility of those meant to protect him. Found restrained and exposed to the elements, Tyler's final moments were heartbreaking and disturbing. Join us as we examine the case details, the investigation that followed, and the role Tyler's own father ...
Nov 03, 2024•44 min•Ep. 3
Send us a text In this episode of the Family Ties Podcast, we explore the heartbreaking case of 20-month-old Quinton Simon, who went missing from his home in Savannah, Georgia on October 5, 2022. The police found Quinton's remains almost two months after he first went missing, and on November 28, the FBI confirmed that the remains belonged to Quinton. Leilani Simon, Quinton's own mother has been charged with the murder of her missing toddler, among a host of other charges. The case is ongoing, a...
Jul 03, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Send us a text After spending a freezing night locked in the garage, 8-year-old, Thomas Valva died of hypothermia on January 17th 0f 2020. Despite being remembered by those at his school as a “tender, loving boy who made tremendous gains” during his time as a student, this sweet child’s life was intentionally ended by the two people meant to take care of him. Help keep his memory alive by learning about Thomas' story and sharing it with a friend. https://www.thefamilytiespodcast.com/the-thomas-v...
Jun 14, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Send us a text In part 2, we continue to delve into a highly disturbing case suggested by one of our dedicated viewers. Join us as we uncover the horrifying details surrounding the tragic fate of Adrian Jones, a seven-year-old boy subjected to unimaginable torture, abuse, and ultimately, murder. Shockingly, his own father and stepmother resorted to feeding his emaciated body to pigs in a desperate attempt to conceal their heinous crime. Law enforcement officials have labeled this harrowing incid...
Aug 21, 2022•26 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Send us a text This week, Kelley talks with the incredible woman behind the Child Welfare Monitor blog, Marie Cohen, about how Child Welfare needs to change and put children first. With Marie's wealth of knowledge on the topic of social services and child welfare, they discuss the state of the welfare system in the U.S. and uncover some little-known facts about how the system operates. Support the show Marketing & SEO by GrowthIQ Digital...
Aug 21, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Send us a text Today's episode was recommended by a viewer and is an extremely upsetting case. In this episode, we discuss the torture, abuse, and murder of seven-year-old, Adrian Jones. After he was killed, his father and stepmother fed his emaciated corpse to pigs as a means of getting rid of the evidence. Law enforcement also referred to this case as the worst case they had ever had to work. Let's remember little Adrian and learn how we can do better for kids going forward. Support the show M...
May 10, 2022•13 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Send us a text In this episode of our true crime podcast, we delve into the heart-wrenching case of Olivia Jansen, a 3-year-old girl whose life ended in a horrifying tragedy. Join us as we uncover the chilling events that unfolded on July 10, 2020, when Olivia's father, Howard Jansen III, and his girlfriend, Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick, reported her as missing. Within a mere 9 hours, Olivia's lifeless body, covered in bruises, was discovered in a shallow grave. We expose the harrowing reality of physic...
May 10, 2022•15 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Send us a text The day has finally come for me to cover a case from my home state of Kentucky. On Sunday, February 6th of 2022, Catherine McKinney, mother of 4-year old Serenity McKinney was arrested along with her boyfriend, Dakota Hill in Kansas. No one has physically seen little Serenity since Christmas Eve of 2020. This case is new and fresh details will probably be released after this episode airs, so keep that in mind in case you’ve heard something that differs from today’s telling. Suppor...
Feb 20, 2022•14 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Send us a text In this episode, we will discuss the disappearance and murder of 11-month-old baby Mercedes Lain who was reported missing by her father, Kenneth Lain and her mother, Tiffany Coburn in August of 2021. Mercedes’ dead body was found in the depths of the woods in Starke County, Indiana. This case has lots of twists and turns, with more than one victim (we’ll get into that a bit later) and more than one person that can be held responsible for the death of this precious baby. Support th...
Feb 20, 2022•39 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Send us a text This week's episode, The Family Ties covers the murder of Kendrick Lee and the story from his surviving siblings. The news about this case just came to light in late October 2021, and the details are still coming out. Kendrick's 15-year-old brother made a call to police in October to report that he and his siblings had been abandoned and living in an apartment with the corpse of their younger brother since Thanksgiving of last year. Support the show Marketing & SEO by GrowthIQ...
Jan 05, 2022•32 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Send us a text In today's gripping episode of our True Crime Podcast, we delve into a case that was suggested by one of our astute listeners. This haunting story revolves around the tragic death of 4-year-old Dominick Calhoun, a case that shook the nation and left an indelible mark on our collective conscience. Support the show Marketing & SEO by GrowthIQ Digital...
Oct 22, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Send us a text In this episode, Kelley is invited by the Jefferson Humanist Group to present on the subject of homeschooling for their organization. Kelley breaks down the history of homeschooling in the U.S. while discussing the pros and cons of this institution. With intent and purpose, she takes them on a journey through the good, the bad, and leaves them with her own hopes for the future of homeschooling. Support the show Marketing & SEO by GrowthIQ Digital...
Aug 05, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Send us a text Check out our latest episode, where we discuss the case of Rick Roeber, a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, a "man of God", a recovering alcoholic, and a long-distance runner. In April of 2020, Roeber was accused of physically, emotionally, and sexually abusing his 4 children and was subsequently expelled from the House of Representatives. Learn about the case and other details as we explore this tragic case and give a voice to his 4 children. Support the show Marke...
Jun 07, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Send us a text In this true crime podcast episode, we discuss the tragic case of Maxwell Schollenberger who was neglected, tortured, and murdered by his father Scott Schollenberger, and his father's fiancee, Kimberly Mauer. "Around noon on May 26, 2020, police in Annville, Pennsylvania discovered the emaciated body of 12-year-old Maxwell Schollenberger in his family’s home at 30 South White Oak Street. Max was found naked and smeared with feces, slumped across a filthy bed in a bedroom with fece...
May 21, 2021•37 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Send us a text This week, we discuss the case of Orson West & Orrin West, two brothers who were reported missing on Monday, December 21 by their adoptive parents, Trezell West & Jaqueline West. Throughout the video, we discuss what we know so far about the case, the mystery surrounding the two boys' disappearance, and information from neighbors and the FBI. Support the show Marketing & SEO by GrowthIQ Digital...
Mar 09, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Send us a text In this week's true crime episode , we cover the tragic case of Trinity Love Jones, a 9-year old girl, who was brutally murdered and found dead inside a duffel bag with severe injuries head-to-toe. Throughout the episode, we discuss how Trinity Jones was abused, neglected, and subsequently murdered by Taquesta Graham and Emiel Hunt, who have both been charged with murder and torture by the California Supreme Court. We want to discuss and share this case openly to bring attention t...
Jan 25, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Send us a text Join Kelley and Julia on a gripping episode of The Family Ties as they engage in a heartfelt interview with Alicia Davis, the courageous mother of 12-year-old James "Alex" Hurley. Together, they delve into the tragic circumstances surrounding James' torture and murder at the hands of his grandparents, James Sasser, Jr. and Patricia Batts, as well as their 14-year-old son, J.S.. In their pursuit of understanding, Kelley and Julia inquireand delve deep into the life of James Hurley,...
Dec 18, 2020•58 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Send us a text In this week's episode, Julia and Kelley cover the very recent and horrific abuse, torture, and murder of 12-year-old James Alex Hurley. They discuss the events leading up to Alex's death at the hands of his grandma, step-grandpa, uncle, and aunt in Montana, and the status of the ongoing trials related to this case. Support the show Marketing & SEO by GrowthIQ Digital...
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Send us a text In this true crime podcast episode, The Family Ties explores the Raylee Jolynn Browning Case. In the first part of this episode, Kelley Richey and Julia Avery discuss Raylee Browning's back story of being a victim of sexual abuse, physical abuse, starvation, and subsequent murder. Next, the two sisters discuss who murdered and abused Raylee and the outcome of the murder trial and case. Finally, the sisters discuss Raylee's Law, a new homeschool law currently going through the Supr...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Send us a text This week, Kelley takes on hosting this episode solo, while Julia takes a couple of much needed weeks to recoup from work. Kelley shares her research on where the United States currently stands statistically in regards to child abuse and child mortality. Not only does she discuss the immediate costs of child abuse for society, but the study on the long term results of it on more than just the individual. Support the show Marketing & SEO by GrowthIQ Digital...
Nov 04, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Send us a text This week Kelley and Julia share their research into Oregon Child Protective Services after covering the tragic case of the Hart family deaths in last week's episode. They try to get to the bottom of why CPS is failing children in Oregon and what the possible solutions could be to fix their long-standing history of ineptitude to protect, while children have been dying or remain in dangerous home situations. Some of the details the sisters unearth are disturbing, shocking, and reve...
Oct 14, 2020•1 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Send us a text This week Kelley and Julia tell the tragic story of the Hart family murders. They discuss how moms, Jennifer, and Sarah Hart carefully constructed an image of a progressive and loving family, all while starving, beating, and abusing all six of their adopted children. Jennifer eventually kills the entire family by intentionally driving them off of a cliff, but that is just one of the many twists and turns this story takes, so tune in to hear a detailed timeline of events that lead ...
Oct 08, 2020•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Send us a text This week Kelley and Julia are thrilled to interview Bradley Onishi from the Straight White American Jesus podcast. They discuss homeschooling, purity culture, and the Quiverfull movement, as well as the social and political effects of Evangelical patriarchy on women and minorities. Support the show Marketing & SEO by GrowthIQ Digital...
Sep 30, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Send us a text This week Kelley and Julia interview Rachel Coleman, the founder of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education. They discuss the early history of homeschooling in the United States, children's rights, HSLDA's impact on children's wellbeing, the evangelical move to homeschool, and what polarized the evangelical movement to distrust public schools and the advent of modern-day homeschooling. Rachel shares her insight, research, and findings on homeschooling and what the Coalition w...
Sep 23, 2020•1 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Send us a text This week, Julia and Kelley share their past experiences being indoctrinated into the belief of Creationism, and the denial of any science that could not be backed up by scripture. They discuss the severe gap in science being taught in Evangelical homeschool environments and how these beliefs shaped their worldview. Kelley and Julia give an account of how they overcame the denial of science, their own mental "evolution", and how they have been catching up on the scientific theorie...
Sep 16, 2020•57 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Send us a text This week, Kelley and Julia dig into the tragic case of Joseph Hall, who killed his father at the age of 10 years old. They discuss how years of sexual and physical abuse, neglect, his father's Nazi activities, and a violent upbringing all lead to the murder. Joseph suffered from learning disabilities and behavioral problems that got him kicked out of numerous schools, which resulted in his father deciding to teach him at home despite the fact that he himself had never finished 11...
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Send us a text This week, Kelley Richey and Julia Avery share what they have learned about the Electoral College, its origins, issues, and what the people generally think of it. They discuss whether or not this system is helping or hindering our election process as well as their personal views of it. Support the show Marketing & SEO by GrowthIQ Digital...
Sep 02, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Send us a text This week Julia and Kelley take a break from discussing the heavy topics they have been covering in recent weeks and discuss movie, TV, book, and podcast recommendations. Kelley's trademark phrase, "Do yourself a favor" is the title they decide on when discussing the sources of entertainment that have them excited and ready to share with "The Family". Support the show Marketing & SEO by GrowthIQ Digital...
Aug 26, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 13
