(NewsNation) — A dismembered leg found in a Tennessee creek last month has been identified as belonging to an accused pedophile and a suspect in a 20-year-old cold case.
A forensic DNA examination completed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation found the leg belongs to Joseph Frank Benton, 68. According to NewsNation affiliate WKRN, Benton was the father of Joey Benton, a man believed to have been dating Jennifer Wix when she and her 2-year-old daughter went missing in 2004.
Benton was one of the last three people to see Wix and her daughter alive.
Video reveals frantic moments after sheriff allegedly shot judge
Benton was wanted on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor after his property was raided last year by law enforcement in the city of Springfield, located about 30 miles north of Nashville, where authorities said they found a 20-year-old photo showing a minor engaged in sexual activity, according to local news outlet WTVF.
He was on the Robertson County Most Wanted list for violation of probation charges.
Police said no other body parts had been found as of Tuesday and that there was no indication of foul play.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Comments