LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18)– The Laurel County man, charged with murder and arson following the death of his toddler, appeared in court Tuesday.
Vaughn Brock, who previously entered a not guilty plea in the case, had a preliminary hearing Tuesday during which his mother said she believed the child caused the deadly fire.
Vaughn Brock is charged with Cash Brock’s murder after the child’s body was found in a washing machine after a fire.
Kentucky State Police say Brock was in his mobile home last month when he claims he woke up to a fire.
Investigators say Brock ran outside, leaving the child in the home.
Authorities later discovered the child in thewashing machine.
Brock told police he smoked a joint and fell asleep before the fire started, but maintains he searched for his son.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Brock’s mother said she believes her grandson started the fire with a lighter and likely hid in the washer to get away from the fire.
She says her son is not a monster.
“I think that Cash got up and I think he got a hold of one of those butane lighters or a lighter and I think the little feller accidentally set the house on fire,” she said. “I believe that with all my heart and soul.”
Brock’s case is being sent to a grand jury.
