Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Texas Mom Locks 11YO Autistic Boy with Rotting Teeth in Filthy Room | Crime Alert 6AM 10.17.25
Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Sydney Sumner (for Crime Alert segment)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

Episode Overview

This episode presents updates on three significant crime stories:

• Abuse and neglect of an 11-year-old autistic boy in Baytown, Texas
• A mass shooting at Willie's Bar and Grill in South Carolina
• A capital murder case in Auburn, Alabama involving a retired university professor

The episode adopts Nancy Grace’s signature urgent, direct style, with a focus on shocking details and tough questions about failures in the justice and social care systems.

1. Texas Mom Accused of Severe Child Abuse (00:00–02:16)

Key Points:

• Rachel Blaylock, 41, was arrested after her nonverbal, autistic 11-year-old son was discovered in horrific conditions.
• The child was found severely underweight (46 pounds), covered in dried feces, living locked in a room.
• Medical personnel found feces on the boy's teeth, in his ears, and under his nails.
• Blaylock reportedly claimed, “I can't just drop everything I’m doing and take him to the hospital so a quack doctor can say, oh, I don't know what's wrong with him so we can see another one.” (Speaker A, 01:23)
• Blaylock admitted to locking her son in with a screen door to prevent him from fleeing the house unclothed.
• The boy’s grandmother sometimes managed to unlock the door to give food and water, describing Blaylock as "not a very good mom."
• During her arrest, Blaylock told officers she was carrying her “baby daddy’s ashes” in a container—testing revealed the substance was actually crystal meth.
• Prosecutors allege that her drug use is directly connected to the neglect of her child. “Although possession of controlled substances [is] often considered a crime without a victim, the context here indicates that that is not the case.” (Speaker A, 01:53)
• Blaylock faces charges of injury to a child and possession of methamphetamine; her bond is set at $250,000.
• The 11-year-old is now in foster care.

Notable Quotes:

• “The boy, who weighed 46 pounds, had rotting teeth and was covered in dried feces.” (Speaker A, 00:44)
• “I can't just drop everything I’m doing and take him to the hospital so a quack doctor can say, oh, I don't know what's wrong with him so we can see another one.” — Rachel Blaylock (Speaker A, 01:23)
• “…her son is a victim of her drug abuse.” (Speaker A, 01:51)

2. South Carolina Bar Mass Shooting Update (03:16–04:11)

Key Points:

• Investigators believe they’ve identified suspects in the Willie's Bar and Grill shooting, which killed 4 and wounded 20 during a crowded alumni event.
• Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner attributes the violence to an ongoing feud between 2–3 individuals in the crowd.
• No witnesses have come forward; suspects remain at large.
• When asked if the public was safe, Tanner replied starkly: “I cannot tell you that you’re safe in Beaufort County.” (Sheriff Tanner, 04:06)
• The FBI is enhancing security footage and ballistics are being analyzed.
• The victims were identified, including a security guard working the event.
• Four critically injured victims are now reportedly improving.

Notable Quotes:

• “We know that there were two, possibly three within this crowd that had an ongoing feud…they resorted to pulling guns.” — Sheriff P.J. Tanner (03:36)
• “I cannot tell you that you’re safe in Beaufort County.” — Sheriff P.J. Tanner (04:06)

3. Alabama Professor Murder Case (04:11–07:03)

Key Points:

• Rashad Dabney III, 28, faces capital murder charges in connection with the September killing of Dr. Julie Gard Schunell, retired professor at Auburn University.
• Dr. Schunell was found dead in Kiesel Park, Auburn, after being stabbed multiple times.
• Evidence presented in a 45-minute hearing included:
  • Security footage of the victim’s arrival, and suspect using her vehicle.
  • Victim was dragged, visor and dog leash found soaked in blood.
  • Dabney was apprehended with the victim’s credit card in his underwear and shoes matching those in security video.
  • His fingerprint matched one lifted from her truck.
  • Additional blood evidence is being tested.
• The weapon has yet to be recovered.
• The District Attorney seeks the death penalty; Dabney remains in custody without bail.

Timestamps & Segments

| Time | Segment | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–02:16| Texas child abuse/neglect case | | 03:16–04:11| South Carolina mass shooting update/quotes from Sheriff | | 04:11–07:03| Alabama professor murder investigation/court hearing |

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode is unflinching, matter-of-fact, and often relies on blunt quotations to drive home the brutality of each event. Nancy Grace's brand—via Sydney Sumner—remains focused on exposing injustice and pressing for accountability.

Notable Quote:
“I cannot tell you that you’re safe in Beaufort County.” — Sheriff P.J. Tanner (04:06)

Conclusion

This Crime Alert episode delivers concise, harrowing updates on three major crime stories, using direct testimony and law enforcement commentary to highlight the urgency and severity of each case. The child abuse case in Texas stands out both for its shocking details and for the alleged role of parental drug abuse, while the unresolved mass shooting and tragic murder in Alabama serve as stark reminders of the real dangers still present in the communities covered.