Wichita dad accused of abusing infant twin sons is now charged with murder
A Wichita father accused of abusing his infant twin sons is now facing a murder charge following the death of one of the babies last month.
Prosecutors filed an amended complaint last week against 33-year-old Devin K. Bemis charging him with one count of first-degree felony murder, in addition to the two previously filed counts of child abuse, court records show.
The murder count alleges Bemis killed his son, Grayson Bemis, while committing “an inherently dangerous felony” on or about Jan. 21. The felony crime listed is child abuse.
Grayson was two months old he was harmed. He died on April 26 after a three-month hospital stay, court records and his online obituary say.
The child abuse counts allege Bemis caused “great bodily harm, abusive head trauma, permanent disability or disfigurement” to Grayson and tortured, cruelly beat, struck or kicked his other infant son on Jan. 21.
Bemis’ lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday morning.
Details about exactly what the children endured has not been disclosed publicly by authorities. In March, a Sedgwick County judge sealed a probable cause affidavit that contains that information after media requests to release it, saying that public disclosure of the document could negatively affect child welfare cases involving the twins.
Grayson’s obituary describes him as “a sweet and precious baby” who brought “comfort and smiles to those who held him.”
“He filled hearts with a kind of joy that will never fade,” the obituary says. “... Grayson is now at peace ... and will be surrounded by love as he watches over those he leaves behind.”
The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office previously said it would decide whether to amend Bemis’ charges after it received a copy of the infant’s final autopsy report. The office filed the amended complaint on May 20.
Bemis remained in the Sedgwick County Jail on Tuesday. His bond amount is $400,000.
His next court date, a preliminary hearing, is scheduled for June 12.
