Texas Man Indicted in Murder of Mother of 3 — Now Faces 16 Felony Charges, Including Child Sexual Abuse and Bestiality

A Texas man accused of killing a 31-year-old mother of three is now facing an expanding list of serious criminal charges after a grand jury indicted him for murder. Cody Allen Laviolette, 36, was indicted on October 30, 2026, in connection with the death of Kelly Taylor Mariah Little, whose life ended under suspicious circumstances in May. What initially began as an investigation into a woman’s medical emergency has since developed into a much larger criminal case involving allegations of violence, sexual abuse and other disturbing offenses.

Little and her three young children had reportedly been living with Laviolette at his home in Onalaska, Texas, approximately 85 miles northeast of Houston. On May 23, deputies responded to a report that a woman was experiencing a seizure at the residence. Little was transported by helicopter to a hospital, where she died the following morning. Her death prompted investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities later identified Laviolette as a person of interest and began gathering witness statements and other evidence.

The investigation took a significant turn in July when Laviolette was arrested on charges of unlawful restraint and aggravated assault. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, multiple witnesses came forward with information that led detectives to examine his alleged conduct more closely. Investigators also said some potential witnesses might have been reluctant to speak because of statements Laviolette allegedly made about his family’s influence in the area. By September, additional charges had been filed, including aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual assault, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, assault involving a family member and bestiality. Authorities said the allegations involved multiple victims, including a child who had reportedly lived with Laviolette.

On October 30, a Polk County grand jury returned indictments charging Laviolette with first-degree murder and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in connection with Little’s death. Following the indictment, the sheriff’s office confirmed that he was facing a total of 16 felony charges. His combined bond amounts were set at $5.4 million, and he remained in the Polk County Jail. As of the latest reports, Laviolette had not entered a plea to the murder indictment.

Meanwhile, Little’s family has remembered her as a loving mother, generous friend and woman who always tried to help others, even when she did not have much herself. Her obituary described her as someone whose kindness reflected the values instilled in her by her parents and grandparents. It also highlighted the individual personalities of her three children: a daughter who enjoys music and art, a son fascinated by science and machines, and a youngest child who shares her playful spirit. Her family said her memory would continue through the children she loved.

Authorities believe there may be additional victims and have urged anyone with information about Laviolette or who believes they may have been harmed by him to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation remains active, and officials are continuing to review information from people who have come forward. For Little’s family, the indictment represents an important development in the effort to seek answers about her death. But the case is far from over, and every charge remains an allegation until proven in court.