Lori Vallow pleads not guilty to murder of her 2 children

Lori Vallow pleaded not guilty to charges for killing her two children in 2019.

ByHaley Yamada
April 19, 2022, 5:59 PM

Lori Vallow pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder charges related to the deaths of her two children in 2019. Her husband Chad Daybell had previously pleaded not guilty on similar charges.

Vallow and Daybell appeared in court in Fremont County, Idaho. Last week, a judge ruled that Vallow was fit to stand trial after she was recently released from an Idaho mental health facility.

Nearly two years ago, authorities discovered the remains of Lori Vallow’s children on property belonging to Chad Daybell, Vallow's husband and the children’s stepfather.

PHOTO: Chad Daybell listens during his preliminary hearing, Aug. 4 2020, in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Chad Daybell listens during his preliminary hearing, Aug. 4 2020, in St. Anthony, Idaho. Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell were each indicted by a grand jury on May 24, 2021, on charges of conspiracy, murder and grand theft in connection with the deaths of Lori Daybell's two youngest children, 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan. Chad Daybell was also charged with one count of murder in connection with the death of his late wife, Tammy Daybell, just weeks before Lori and Chad married.
The Idaho Post-Register/Pool via AP, FILE

Since then, authorities said Vallow and Daybell’s story has publicly unraveled and both face charges in connection to multiple murders.

Daybell appeared in court Tuesday morning for a hearing on whether his trial should be moved from Fremont County to Ada County after the defense argued that the jury in Fremont County may be swayed by extensive media coverage in the area.

PHOTO: Kay and Larry Woodcock speak to members of the media in Rexburg, Idaho, Jan. 7, 2020 about the reward they are offering for information that leads to the recovery of Joshua Vallow and Tylee Ryan, who were last seen in September 2019.
Kay and Larry Woodcock speak to members of the media in Rexburg, Idaho, Jan. 7, 2020 about the reward they are offering for information that leads to the recovery of Joshua Vallow and Tylee Ryan, who were last seen in September 2019.
The Idaho Post-Register via AP, FILE

After hearing multiple arguments and witness testimony, the judge announced that a written ruling would be released at a later date.

Following Daybell's court appearance, Vallow appeared in court for arraignment and pleaded not guilty to all charges. She’s charged with three counts of first-degree murder: her children, J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and her husband’s first wife, Tammy Daybell.

The couple is scheduled to face trial starting in January 2023. Daybell and Vallow could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted on multiple first-degree murder charges.