By Natalie Caula
ncaula@abcnews4.com
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) – The family of the Summerville parents that are behind bars accused of killing their child claim the parents are innocent.
Kimberly Love, 31, and her husband Jason Buckley, 29, turned themselves into the Summerville Police Department Sunday night, according to investigators, after police began searching for the pair.
Love's family says they saw themselves on the news Sunday after police say they were wanted for the death of Love's 13-year-old son and Buckley's step-son, Joshua Mendoza.
Summerville Police Public Information Officer Captain Jon Rogers says they are at the beginning stages of their investigation.
"Got word Friday from the medical examiner that this was going to be ruled a homicide through malnourishment and neglect," Capt. Rogers said.
Love's mother, Kathleen Nicholson says that's far from the truth. She says she attended her grandson, Joshua Mendoza's funeral.
"They were great parents. They were always doing everything for Joshua. He just died," Nicholson said.
Nicholson says her grandson had tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder. She says it would cause seizures in Mendoza, who she says could barely walk or speak.
"We were notified of some medical issues the child had and we're looking into it," Capt. Rogers said.
Dorchester County Coroner Chris Nisbet says Mendoza died on February 10th. There are still few details about the child's condition during his death. Investigators say he died at the parents Bacons Bridge home in Summerville.
Monday, a municipal court judge denied bond for the two, because only circuit court judges can set bonds on murder charges.
Their family says their bond court date in circuit court is set for late March.
Nicholson says the Department of Social Services (DSS) also took Love's other children into custody and they haven't seen them since.
"We're a big family. We're a close family and we love him and we miss him and we don't have any time to grieve or him because they've ripped my other grandchildren out and now they've taken my daughter and my son in law and its just terrible," Nicholson said.
Love and Buckley remain in jail at the Dorchester County Detention Center.
Joshua Mendoza (provided)
Buckley and Love (provided)
Joshua Mendoza died on February 10th in his Summerville home. (Photo provided)
Joshua Mendoza with his step-father Jason Buckley (provided).
