The father of five South Carolina children whose bodies were recovered in Alabama Tuesday was arrested after a deputy detected "an odor of chemicals" coming from his vehicle in Mississippi Saturday, authorities said.
Timothy Jones, Jr. was taken into custody shortly after a search of his license plate by a Smith County deputy linked him to his children, ages 1 to 8, who were reported missing on Sept. 3, said the sheriff's office.
The deputy, who described Jones as extremely agitated and appearing under the influence, said Jones had chemicals believed to be used to manufacture meth and a substance believed to be the synthetic marijuana, Spice.
An investigator called to the scene additionally reported finding bleach, muriatic acid, blood and possible body fluids in Jones' Cadillac Escalade.
Alabama Sheriff Kenny Hardin told WSFA that Jones, who is identified as the children's legal guardian, confessed to dumping his children's bodies in a rural area off a highway after his arrest for possession of controlled substances.
When the bodies were discovered Tuesday evening they were described as decomposed and in individual plastic garbage bags.
The children's mother, who is divorced from Jones, first reported them missing after failing to get in touch with their father, said South Carolina's Lexington County sheriff's office.
Investigators in South Carolina said the children were last seen with their father. When they went to his home last week to speak with him they said he and the children were gone.
"Neighbors told deputies that the children's father said he was moving with his children from his home near Lexington to another state," said the sheriff's department in a release Tuesday.
Jones remains in custody of the Smith County Sheriff’s office and is awaiting extradition to South Carolina.
This is developing news. Check back for updates.
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