James Was Arrested for Murder
In a cruel twist of fate, shortly after the funeral, James Joseph Richardson found himself under arrest for the alleged murder of his children. Both parents were also charged with child neglect, and questions arose about the untimely deaths of their other children. Despite Police Chief Barnard's belief that there was no substantial case against Richardson, Sheriff Cline held onto the notion that Richardson had a motive to harm his children. Judge Hayes, presiding over the case, cited the results of lie detector tests, suggesting that Richardson possessed knowledge regarding the poisoning of the children.
Suspicion around James Richardson grew stronger due to an unsettling revelation involving a local insurance broker. Reports indicated that Richardson had discussed the possibility of purchasing life insurance for his entire family, including all seven children, with the broker just a few weeks before the tragic deaths. However, Richardson could not afford the insurance, given their modest income, and sent the broker away. This conversation alone convinced Sheriff Cline of Richardson's guilt, further complicating a devastating situation.
