Pennsylvania mom and her BF arrested after 2-year-old son's body found in canvas bag in basement

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

OIL CITY, PENNSYLVANIA: A 2-year-old boy was reported missing from his home, and subsequently, the child's mother and her boyfriend are now facing charges. 

The body of the 2-year-old was discovered stuffed into a canvas-like bag at a residence. 

The victim's mother, Caleigh Gladfelter, and her boyfriend, Trevaughn Stribling-Jackson, have been arrested and charged in connection with the case.

Caleigh Gladfelter files missing complaint about her son

According to Explore Clarion, Caleigh Renae Gladfelter of Oil City, filed a missing complaint about her son. The child, identified as Keaton Morrison aka KM was a two-year-old residing in the 600 block of North Street, Oil City. He lived with his mother, a sibling, and his mother’s boyfriend, Trevaughn Stribling-Jackson.

As per the report filed by the child’s mother, she last saw KM before leaving for work on December 18 around 2.30 pm. When she returned home shortly before 11.30 pm, she discovered that the child was missing. The complaint stated that KM had been under the care of Stribling-Jackson during her absence.

Upon questioning Stribling-Jackson about the child's whereabouts, she was informed that he had been given to his cousin in the Erie area. However, Stribling-Jackson refused to provide a name or contact information for this cousin who allegedly had custody of the child.

In subsequent interviews with the victim’s mother, she expressed concern about the child’s location. She made several attempts to inquire about the child’s whereabouts or establish contact with him through Stribling-Jackson.

Additionally, the mother found Stribling-Jackson’s behavior suspicious on the night of December 18 when she returned from work, as he was reportedly doing laundry, according to the complaint.

Police finds child's body stuffed into canvas bag

Upon her return from work, the victim’s mother informed the police that she noticed a missing tan Intex air mattress bag and observed blood on the box-spring under the air mattress, according to the complaint.

The victim’s mother provided officers with information that Stribling-Jackson had a history of physically assaulting the child, citing recent bruising around the ribcage area, as noted in the complaint.

On December 20, Oil City PD Patrolman Tim Karns sought a warrant to search the North Street residence, which was subsequently approved.

During the search, officers discovered the child concealed inside a canvas-type 'Intex' bag in the basement beneath a makeshift table. Despite efforts by EMS personnel, the child was found dead, as stated in the complaint.

Based on their findings, OCPD Lieutenant Cory Ruditis applied for a second search warrant to collect evidence related to the child's death.

The Forensic Services Unit of the Pennsylvania State Police responded to the scene for the execution of the search warrant and the documentation and seizure of evidence, according to the complaint.

While on the scene, officers observed injuries on the victim’s head and neck area, along with a suspected burn on the inner groin, according to the complaint.

During an interview, Stribling-Jackson denied knowledge of the child's whereabouts or any information about the child's death. He also refuted claims of sending the child to Erie or informing anyone about such actions.

Although he acknowledged having a family in the Erie area, as per the complaint, officers confirmed during their investigation that Stribling-Jackson lived in the basement of the North Street home with the victim, the victim’s mother, and her other minor child.

Gladfelter and Jackson face criminal homicide charges

Following the discovery of the body of the 2-year-old boy, Trevaughn Lee Glenn Stribling-Jackson was arrested on criminal homicide and assault charges.

Furthermore, 22-year-old Caleigh Renae Gladfelter, the mother of the murdered 2-year-old child, has been charged with child endangerment, according to court documents filed by the Oil City Police Department on December 22.