Family speaks out after bond lowered for man charged in son’s killing

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A man charged in the death of a two-year-old appeared in New Hanover County court Wednesday morning for a bond hearing.

The judge reduced Jonathan Hayes’ bond from $59 million to $2.6 million.

Investigators say Hayes caused the car accident that killed 2-year-old Mason Richardson.

Richardson’s grandmother was upset about the new bond.

“I understand- I respect that it was an astronomical amount in the beginning but I wish they wouldn’t have came down and just pray that he can remain in custody and we’re just here fighting for Mason, fighting for justice for Mason so this doesn’t happen to someone else,” Samantha Ritter said.

Police say at the time of the accident, Hayes was on drugs and given multiple doses of narcan, a drug used for opioid overdoses

Richardson’s family just doesn’t want this to ever happen to anyone.

“Day by day, we don’t know what’s coming next,” Ritter said. “We’re just fighting for justice for Mason.”