Overview of MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Joseph “Jo‑Jo” King III
This episode (Crime Junkie, Audiochuck) tells the story of six‑year‑old Joseph “Jo‑Jo” King III, who was found unresponsive in his Grand Prairie, Texas home on February 23, 2020 and died days later. The stepfather, Brandon Hale, told police Jo‑Jo had become trapped in a toy chest and suffocated. Jo‑Jo’s biological father, Joseph (an Atlanta homicide detective), had prior cause for concern: DFPS had substantiated physical abuse by Hale in 2019. Investigations and subsequent court testimony revealed major inconsistencies in the toy‑chest story, evidence of unexplained wetness on Jo‑Jo and at the scene, and an undetermined manner of death. Hale was ultimately convicted in 2023 only on revocation of his 2019 deferred adjudication (injury to a child) and sentenced to ten years — not charged for causing Jo‑Jo’s death.
Key timeline
- March 2019: Jo‑Jo arrives at school with loop bruises; reports beating with a belt by stepfather (Brandon Hale). DFPS finds “reason to believe” and Hale is indicted; he receives 4 years deferred adjudication probation (no jail if compliant).
- Feb 23, 2020 (late afternoon): Hale says he napped, could not find Jo‑Jo, checked a toy chest and found Jo‑Jo unresponsive. 911 call ~4:58 p.m.; EMS documents no CPR compressions on arrival. Jo‑Jo taken to Children’s Medical Center (Dallas) on life support.
- Feb 27, 2020: Jo‑Jo dies. Autopsy initially lists global hypoxic encephalopathy due to smothering following prolonged entrapment in a sealed toy chest; manner undetermined.
- Post‑death investigation: Fresh detective re‑examines toy chest and scene; light passes through chest seams (not airtight); mannequin test shows poor fit due to toys inside (large Batman doll); evidence of wetness on child and in bathroom but not inside chest; autopsy amended to “lack of oxygen, manner undetermined,” with concern expressed for possible homicidal drowning.
- Dec 2023: Probation‑violation hearing — judge finds Hale violated probation in the 2019 case and revokes deferred adjudication; Hale is convicted there and sentenced to 10 years. No homicide or homicide‑related conviction for Jo‑Jo’s death as of the episode.
Main evidence, inconsistencies, and unanswered questions
- Prior substantiated abuse: DFPS had already determined “reason to believe” Hale abused Jo‑Jo (2019). Despite that, the family returned to living together and Hale supervised Jo‑Jo in 2020.
- Toy chest theory problems:
- Chest tested and found not airtight (light visible through seams → air passage).
- Mannequin recreation: barely fits because toys occupied space; chest not clearly capable of producing prolonged hypoxic entrapment in this case.
- No urine/moisture documented inside chest, and Batman doll in chest tested negative for urine.
- Wetness and bathroom evidence:
- Responding officers reported Jo‑Jo wet from nose to hips; wet towel in bathroom; bathtub toys wet; toilet water “half full” as if displaced by an object.
- Pattern of wetness on front of body and wetness on bed (middle area where child’s bottom would lie) raise possibility of water exposure inconsistent with chest entrapment.
- CPR/timeline issues:
- Dispatcher instructed Hale to place Jo‑Jo on floor and start compressions; dispatcher later said it didn’t appear Hale was actually performing compressions.
- EMS documented that compressions were not being performed on arrival; Hale’s accounts of how long he’d napped and what he did changed over time.
- Autopsy / medical ambiguity:
- Medical examiner found evidence of water in airways but testified that prolonged ventilator use can also produce airway fluid, complicating drowning determination.
- Final autopsy listed lack of oxygen but could not determine the mechanism (accident, drowning, smothering by person) — manner remained undetermined.
- Law and process questions:
- Why DFPS closed the original case as “low risk” and allowed Hale back in the home after a “reason to believe” finding.
- Why biological father’s requests for custody/protective orders were denied or blocked by technicalities.
- Why prosecutors ultimately pursued only a probation‑violation conviction (2019 injury to a child) instead of homicide charges (as of the recording).
Legal outcome and status
- Hale’s deferred adjudication (2019 injury to a child) was revoked in December 2023; he was convicted on that underlying charge and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
- No homicide or criminal conviction directly tied to Jo‑Jo’s death has been reported in the episode.
- The Tarrant County District Attorney could potentially bring new charges at any time, according to legal review cited by the podcast.
- DFPS provided public records but did not answer why Jo‑Jo was allowed back into the home or why earlier interventions were limited.
Reactions, advocacy, and human impact
- Biological father Joseph (Atlanta homicide detective) led the push for re‑investigation, challenged the toy‑chest explanation, and publicly advocates for accountability.
- Jo‑Jo’s organs were donated; recipients include a little girl who received additional life from his donation.
- The podcast urges listeners who want action to contact the Tarrant County, Texas District Attorney’s Office (817‑884‑1400) and encourages public pressure for re‑examination of the case.
- The story highlights systemic failures: DFPS decisions, barriers for non‑custodial parents to obtain protective orders, and delays in criminal investigation and charging.
Key takeaways
- The official cause and manner of Jo‑Jo’s death remain undetermined: evidence contradicts the immediate toy‑chest suffocation explanation, and drowning remains a possibility that can’t be conclusively confirmed or ruled out given the clinical circumstances.
- Prior findings of abuse and a deferred adjudication in 2019 raise critical questions about child‑protection decisions and accountability.
- The criminal justice response resulted in only a probation‑violation conviction related to the earlier abuse, not a charge for Jo‑Jo’s death — leaving unanswered questions and unresolved accountability.
- The case underscores the importance of thorough, timely investigations, interagency communication (DFPS, law enforcement, courts), and mechanisms for non‑custodial parents to protect children.
What listeners or readers can do
- Contact Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office: 817‑884‑1400 to request review or further action.
- Review primary sources on CrimeJunkie.com (episode sources) for more details and documents.
- Share the story to keep public attention on unresolved child‑protection and investigative issues.
Notable quote
- Joseph (Jo‑Jo’s dad): “Does my son have to die for someone to help us?” — a central refrain underscoring the family’s frustration with systemic failures.
Sources: Episode “MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Joseph ‘Jo‑Jo’ King III” (Crime Junkie, Audiochuck), DFPS public records and testimony summarized in the episode.