Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon said the death of an 18-month-old foster child and the investigation that followed has been devastating.

“This is a heartbreaking case where everyone who was involved in any way, whether it be the initial report, the further investigation, the medical staff…we were all touched tragically by this case,’’ Moon said. “This precious child was a victim and had been treated in a way that no human should be treated.”

Brooklyn Paige Posey Grimes, 31, and Mason John Grimes, 36, are charged with capital murder of a child, murder, felony murder and aggravated child abuse under the age of 6, according to court records made public Wednesday.

The 18-month-old boy arrived at a Blount County hospital in November, emaciated and cool to the touch. He was pronounced dead that day.

The couple, who live in Blount County but were license foster parents out of Marshall County, were booked into the Blount County Jail between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The indictments against them were issued by a grand jury on July 24.

The investigation was led by sheriff’s Lt. Chad Long, who Moon said dedicated many, many hours to building a solid case against the couple.

According to court records, the boy was placed in the Grimes’ care on Aug. 5, 2022, when he was just 3 months old.

The child flourished for about a year, the records state.

But on Sept. 25, 2023, the boy was taken to Children’s of Alabama and diagnosed with multiple congenital disorders and genetic testing was performed.

The child was to return to the Birmingham hospital on Oct. 20, 2023, but the Grimes didn’t take the child to the appointment or return follow up telephone calls.

On Nov. 22, 2023, the Grimes took the boy to St. Vincent’s Blount because he wasn’t breathing.

“Upon arrival, the child was severely emaciated, asystolic, and cool to the touch,’’ prosecutors wrote.

The boy had lost about half of his body weight, the sheriff said. “He was skin and bones,”” Moon said.

Court records state there is no evidence of the child receiving any medical care subsequent to being diagnosed as having multiple congenital disorders,

Moon and Long spoke at a Thursday press conference, but couldn’t go into too many details because of the ongoing investigation and prosecution.

According to a Facebook post made by Mason Grimes before his arrest, he and his wife had fostered 17 children over five years.

They adopted one of those children – a girl – and had three other foster children in their care, including the 18-month-old when he died.

The children under the Grimes’ care have been removed from the home and are under safety plans.

Long said each child in the home had separate case workers. He said case workers under DHR’s rules and guidelines are required to do periodic home visits and follow-ups on doctor’s visits but said he couldn’t comment on what happened in the case of the 18-month-old who died.

State and Marshall County DHR workers have not yet responded to questions from AL.com.

Long said the Grimes passed a DHR background check and there were no “flags in their criminal history that indicated anything negative.”

The lieutenant said he has no idea why the Grimes did what they are alleged to have done.

“I wish I did. I wish I could understand,’’ Long said. “I have no indication on why they did it.”

Authorities said the couple lived just inside Blount County, in the Horton area. Moon said there were concerns about the living conditions of the entire family.

Long, a veteran investigator, said he saw no signs from the suspects that he considered to be remorse.

“Everyone has a different interpretation of remorse,’’ he said. “If you’re asking me if they were crying that night at the hospital, I didn’t see it.”

Moon was asked about some support being shown to the suspects by their loved ones on social media.

“We all have friends and family who love us, regardless of the situation we’re in,’’ Moon said.

“It’s not unusual that their loved ones are supporting them. I know there are some out there who will never believe any of this was possible,’’ Moon said. “Almost all of our …cases, there will be a lot of times where people are close to the offender will say there’s no way they would ever do that. “

“The truth of the matter is the facts are the facts,’’ Moon said. “The evidence is overwhelming.”