New allegations surface after man accused of killing toddler

LONG VIEW, N.C. — New allegations came to light Wednesday against the mother of a toddler found murdered in Long View.

Whitney Weathers’ ex-boyfriend is accused of scalding the 20-month-old boy and drowning him inside the couple’s home in May 2013. He was also accused of injuring the boy’s 3-year-old sister.

Channel 9 learned of the new allegations after William Lail faced a judge Wednesday. Lail’s attorney wants certain Department of Social Service records in the case involving the children.

Lail didn't say a word as he appeared before a judge in Catawba County accused of murder and intentional child abuse of Jaydon Sandlin and his sister.

Her neighbor, Julia Duckworth, showed Eyewitness News where Lail placed the lifeless body of the toddler on her living room floor two-and-a-half years ago.

Read our past coverage:

Channel 9 has learned Weathers may have left the children home alone locked in a closet on other occasions.

"What I know from my client is that he did find the children sometimes in a closet with a movie going or TV, but strapped in a car seat,” defense attorney Victoria Jayne said.

Weathers denied abusing the children during her arrest for negligent child abuse.

According to court documents, police found scalding burns on the bodies of both children after the murder and said Weathers did not seek medical attention prior to her son's murder.

Duckworth said she offered several times to help watch the children, but Weathers never took her up on the offer.

"I could barely walk or do for myself, but I was willing to sit with the children go over there if I had to or they could have come over here,” Duckworth said.

Lail is locked up under a $600,000 bond. Weathers is charged with five counts of negligent child abuse.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

WSOC