American couple of Oklahoma charged with murder after dumping newborn in trash 

By Edward Era Barbacena 

An American white couple has been charged in Garfield County in connection with the suspected death of a newborn child, but authorities are still seeking information in the case, including the whereabouts of the child.

County court records show Kevin Ray Helton, 60, and Sarah Nickole Helton, 40, were charged separately on Wednesday with Second Degree Murder, or, in the alternative, child neglect.

According to media reports, a search of Kevin Helton’s phone revealed photos and a video of what appeared to be a deceased newborn lying next to a dog. Among the texts was one from him to his estranged wife Sarah Helton saying, “Do you want me to tell your daughter what really happened to her sister? I buried her this morning because you left her in the trash.”

Other texts reflect that the baby was born on Dec. 27 in Hayward, in Garfield County, at Kevin Helton's residence. The suspects do not live together.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office posted a message on social media Thursday seeking the public’s help in the case.

The couple told conflicting stories about what happened to the child. Sarah Helton claimed the newborn was given by Kevin Helton to an adoption agency; authorities found no evidence to support that claim. Kevin Helton said Sarah Helton had left his residence without notice and that he found the baby in the trash two or three days later.

Bond was set at $250,000 for Sarah Helton and at $200,000 for Kevin Helton. A bond reduction hearing is set for Monday for Sarah Helton. Both have previous felony convictions, according to Oklahoma Department of Corrections records that show Sarah Helton was incarcerated three times under the name Sarah N. Peters. In 2004, she pleaded guilty to accessory to murder after the fact in the death of a Tulsa man.