HAMPTON, Va. — A judge denied bond Tuesday for Cory Bigsby, the father of missing Hampton 4-year-old Codi Bigsby.
The 43-year-old reported his son missing last Monday, Jan. 31. Police officers and community groups have been searching for the boy since then.
The Hampton Police Division said Bigsby became a "person of interest" in the case when evidence from the search didn't match his account of his son's disappearance.
On Feb. 3, a few days into the investigation, Bigsby was arrested on seven counts of felony child neglect. Those charges aren't related to the search for Codi.
A spokesperson for HPD said while they were interviewing him about Codi's disappearance, he voluntarily told them he'd left his children (a 5-year-old, 4-year-old Codi, and twin 2-year-olds) home alone on several occasions. That's what the charges are for.
HPD Police Chief Mark Talbot said Bigsby told them it was too much of a burden to get all the children packed up and in the car when he needed to go some places.
During Tuesday's bond hearing, Bigsby’s lawyer, Jeffrey Ambrose, told the judge his client has lived in Hampton Roads since 2006 and is not a flight risk.
“Quite frankly, his face is everywhere. There is nowhere he could run,” Ambrose said.
Ambrose argued Bigsby is not a risk to the community either, with 20 years of honorable military service under his belt.
But Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney Anton Bell brought up Bigsby’s military record too.
“When asked under cross-examination including military convictions, he had to admit he had an AWOL, Absent without leave,” Bell said. “Which means, your honor, he is absolutely a flight risk.”
That was a concern for the judge. He denied bond.
Outside the courtroom, the Commonwealth's Attorney kept his comments brief.
“That is the only thing I am going to say, it’s all about finding Codi,” Bell said.
When it comes to finding Codi, Ambrose -- who is appealing the judge’s decision on bond -- said Bigsby is concerned too.
“He did advise me he has given everything he knows over to officers so that they can use whatever information he has in order to assist in finding Codi,” Ambrose said.
Immediately following the bond hearing on Tuesday, Ambrose said he filed an appeal. He is hoping for a second bond hearing.
Bigsby’s estranged wife took the stand, advocating for him to get released on bond. Many of his family members also attended the hearing but did not want to comment on the case.
Ambrose has also said he doesn't think his client's rights were upheld while at the police station.
"My understanding is that he did request an attorney and to remain silent -- at least at some point during this process -- and that those requests may not have been honored correctly," Ambrose said.
Talbot has maintained that Bigsby was informed of his rights, didn't ask for a lawyer, and was at the police station voluntarily from Jan. 31 until his arrest on Feb. 3.
Bigsby's preliminary court hearing is scheduled for April 5.