Williamson County woman charged in stabbing death of 11-year-old girl

WILLIAMSON COUNTY - The Williamson County Sheriff's Office has arrested a Williamson County woman on charges of murder in connection with the stabbing death of an 11-year-old girl with whom she lived.

Officers charged Julia Bevely, 29, of Williamson County on Wednesday with three counts of first-degree murder in the death of Jade Marie Beasley. Bevely is the longtime partner of Beasley's father, according to investigators.

On Saturday, the sheriff's office began an investigation into Beasley's death after receiving a 911 call from 11304 Songbird Road, a rural Marion address. On Sunday, a forensic pathologist ruled the death a homicide.

Beasley was a sixth-grader at Marion Junior High School.

According to Williamson County State's Attorney Brandon Zanotti, Bevely told investigators she had left Beasley at home, and when she returned, an unidentified man was fleeing the home. Zanotti said investigators determined that Bevely's statement was not factual and charged her in connection with the death.

The first-degree murder charges carry a penalty of 20 to 60 years in prison with possibility of an extended sentence.

Bevely was being held Thursday at the Williamson County Jail on $2 million bond. Bevely's first appearance is scheduled for Friday.