Couple Charged In Connection To Death Of Lexington Teen

The Cleveland County DA filed charges against a Lexington couple in connection with the death of a 15-year-old boy at their home.

Thursday, April 2nd 2015, 4:43 pm

By: News 9


The Cleveland County DA filed charges against a Lexington couple in connection with the death of a 15-year-old boy at their home.

Tonya Moss, 32, faces charges of child neglect, permitting an invitee under 21 to consume alcohol resulting in death, and carrying a firearm after felony conviction.

Justin Moore, 34, is charged with permitting an invitee under 21 to consume alcohol resulting in death as well as firearms charges.

Both are currently being held in the Cleveland County Detention Center without bond, while detectives continue their investigation into what exactly happened at their home Saturday night. That's where neighbors say a party involving several teenagers took place and where 15-year-old Nicolas Faught was found dead inside a bathroom.

Court papers filed on Thursday state Moss and Moore were at the home at the time Faught was discovered on Sunday morning, and that Moss even tried to perform CPR on him, but they both fled before police and paramedics could get there; leaving Moss's 16-year-old son and two friends there, home alone, to explain to first responders what happened.

The affidavit says at first Moss lied about not being at the house until that morning, claiming she had been at the casino all night with Moore. But later she confessed she was at the house when Faught was discovered in the bathroom not breathing and tried to resuscitate him, but then became scared and left the residence with Moore because “a little boy had just died in my house.”

Court papers state two other teenagers who were at the home Sunday morning with Moss's son confirm both Moss and Moore were there when Faught was discovered lying unresponsive in the bathroom.

4/1/2015 Related Story: Couple Arrested in Connection To Death Of Lexington Teenager

Court papers go on to state that initial indications from the Medical Examiner's office were that the cause of death may be due to alcohol toxicity. But the cause and manner of death are still pending.

“These two did live at the residence, however Nicolas Faught did not,” said Meghan McCormick with the Cleveland County Sheriff's office on Wednesday.

McCormick says Moss and Moore lived in this home in the 16000 block of Pottawatomie Road with her teenage son and neighbors say they often threw big parties; parties that often involved alcohol.

McCormick says what happened her last weekend should serve as a sobering reminder to all parents about what can happen, especially with prom season underway.

“We urge any parent out there who is planning on hosting any parties in the future to not let their teenagers or any children at all consume any alcohol,” said McCormick.

The medical examiner's office has still not determined exactly how Nicolas Faught died, but has ruled out foul play. It is waiting for toxicology results which could take up to six weeks to complete.

In the meantime, those who knew Nicolas continue to mourn his loss. His funeral is set for Friday morning at the First Baptist Church in Purcell. His family has declined to make any comments at this time.

The sheriff's office states In Oklahoma, a person who permits invitees under 21 to possess or consume alcohol or controlled dangerous substances - and which result in great bodily harm or death - can be charged with a felony crime.

Moore is being held on complaints of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, permitting an invitee under 21 to consume alcohol resulting in death, transporting a loaded firearm and carrying a firearm.

Moss is being held on complaints of child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, permitting an invitee under 21 to consume alcohol resulting in death, and carrying a firearm after felony conviction. Her 17 year old son has been placed in protective custody.

Deputies pulled over Moss and Moore in the 500 block of Highway 39 Tuesday afternoon during a traffic stop when Moss failed to show up at her home Monday night after detectives had completed a search of her home.

Court papers state inside the truck, deputies found guns, a rifle, and recently purchased socks, underwear and other items which led them to believe they were planning on fleeing the area due to the investigation.

Moss was convicted a couple of years ago after pleading guilty to drug possession and driving on a suspended license.

Moore is charged with accessory after the fact in a Pottawatomie County murder. He's due back in court on that charge later this month.

2/16/2014 Related Story: Victims Identified In Tecumseh Shooting

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