Adoptive Mother Of Missing Brothers Pleads Guilty To Dozens Of Felony Counts

The adoptive mother of two missing brothers pleads guilty to felony charges Thursday.

The parents are accused of collecting nearly $175,000 from the department of social services for almost a decade after the children no longer lived with them. The couple lived at a home in Monument before moving to Dallas, Texas.

Linda Kay Bryant pled guilty to 54 Felony counts in El Paso County District Court. Bryant had been charged with 152 counts, including 4 Counts of Theft, 2 Counts of Conspiracy to Commit Theft, 48 Counts of Attempting to Influence a Public Servant, Offering a False Instrument, and Forgery of a Government Issued Document.

In the plea agreement reached this afternoon, Bryant pled guilty to 4 counts of Felony Theft, 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Theft, and 48 counts of Attempting to Influence a Public Servant. The sentence will be determined by Judge Timothy Schutz, who has the option to sentence the defendant in the aggravated range, which may double any prison sentence imposed. The judge also has the option to impose a consecutive sentence. Bryant faces a possible sentence of 4 to 648 years. The Sentencing Hearing is scheduled for March 30, 2012.

Linda Bryant’s co-defendant, Edward Bryant, is scheduled to stand trial April 23, 2012.

The two missing boys, Edward and Austin, were adopted by the Bryants, but have not been seen since 2003. No one knows where the children are.