17-year-old arrested in connection with death of Montgomery County student found in January

GERMANTOWN, Md. - Authorities have arrested a 17-year-old male in the murder of a Montgomery County high school student who had been reported missing and was last seen several weeks before his body was found earlier this year.

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Jai’lyn Jones 

During a press conference on Monday, the Montgomery County Police Department announced that 17-year-old Ta’Quawn Deon Henderson of Germantown has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of his classmate Jai'lyn Jones.

Police Chief Marcus Jones said that investigators recovered physical evidence connecting Henderson to the homicide. Detectives also learned that Henderson and Jones were acquaintances. Both attended Northwest High School.

On May 12 investigators obtained an arrest warrant charging Henderson as an adult. 
Three days later, Henderson turned himself in to a Montgomery County Police Station, where he was transported to the Central Processing Unit and served with a warrant for his arrest. 

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Jones' body was found on January 24 in a small creek near the 18900 block of Grotto Lane in Germantown.

He had reportedly last been seen on January 7.

FOX 5 spoke to Jones' mother Alexis McDaniel in January after his body was found. She said she was "heartbroken" and didn't understand why someone would kill her son. McDaniel also said Jones had been bullied.

Northwest High School released a statement following his death saying Jones had a "large personality, infectious smile, and amazing spirit."

Chief Jones said there may be other contributors involved, and the investigation remains active.